Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu has withdrawn from the race to represent the Walewale constituency in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

Hajia Abudu is the current MP for the constituency in the North East region on the ticket of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The former Minister for Gender, Children & Social Protection wrote to the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, concerning her withdrawal from the NPP parliamentary primary in a letter dated Tuesday, September 10.

The lawmaker explained her withdrawal, thus: “Following the inconclusive re-run of the parliamentary primary in the Walewale constituency yesterday (with the Electoral Commission unable to declare a result as a result of an unfortunate incident), I have decided that in the interest of the greater good of the New Patriotic Party and peace and unity in the Walewale constituency, I will no longer be a candidate for MP in the 2024 elections.”

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Yesterday, Monday, September 9, a man identified as Kamara Bawah was arrested by police for snatching multiple ballot papers and attempting to flee the scene during the Walewale parliamentary primary re-run.

Currently in police custody, Bawah faces charges for damaging election materials. Authorities have bolstered security in Walewale and surrounding areas to maintain public order.

Following the incident, the Electoral Commission (EC) has declared the primary, which involved Dr Tia Mahama Kabiru, an advisor to the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the incumbent MP Lariba Zuweira Abudu, null and void.

Having been informed, and before Hajia Abudu's withdrawal, the NPP leadership was expected to reschedule the primary and announce a new date before the deadline for nominations for the December 7 parliamentary elections.