Nalerigu High Court bars five NDC members from regional elections

The Nalerigu High Court has issued an interlocutory injunction restraining five co-opted members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from participating in the upcoming North East Regional Executive Elections. Presided over by Justice Samuel Bright Acquah, the court’s ruling on November 12, 2026, prevents the affected individuals from voting or engaging in the electoral proceedings scheduled for November 14. The legal intervention follows a challenge by seven party members who alleged that the co-option of these individuals violated the NDC’s constitution and threatened the integrity of the regional polls.The lawsuit was initiated by a group of NDC members including Safianu Akunloya Akukua, a constituency chairman. The plaintiffs argued that the process used to appoint the five members—Alhassan Iddrisu, Abdulai Mahamudu, Mahama Yussif, Mumuni Abdul Salimu, and Naabu Tamanja—was procedurally flawed. They contended that allowing these disputed members to cast ballots would compromise the fairness of the election and potentially lead to unrest within the party. In granting the injunction, Justice Acquah noted the urgency of the matter and the necessity of ensuring constitutional compliance within the party's internal structures to protect democratic integrity.The court's decision comes amid significant internal friction within the North East NDC branch. The legal battle is reportedly linked to a broader political rivalry between influential figures in the region, specifically North East Regional Minister Ibrahim Tia and former Member of Parliament Alhaji Baba Seidu Issifu. This power struggle has led to public accusations and differing interpretations of the NDC’s internal regulations, which the court seeks to mediate through this ruling.The injunction serves as a temporary restriction until the substantive legal issues regarding the legality of the co-option process can be fully resolved. While the regional executive elections are expected to proceed, the exclusion of these five members could influence the outcome of various contests. This ruling highlights the ongoing challenges of internal party governance and the increasing reliance on the judiciary to settle administrative disputes within Ghana’s political landscape.