By – Sadat Dabo

Former YEA Deputy CEO and NPP Deputy National Director of Training and Capacity Building, Alhaji Ibrahim Bashiru, has declared his intention to contest the party’s parliamentary primaries in the Tempane Constituency, setting the stage for a potentially interesting internal contest ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Alhaji Ibrahim Bashiru, a former Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and current NPP Deputy National Director in charge of Training and Capacity Building, is preparing for another attempt at securing the party’s parliamentary ticket in the Tempane Constituency.

Bashiru, popularly known as Bash, is seeking a second opportunity after an unsuccessful attempt in the 2023 NPP parliamentary primaries.

He currently lectures at KAAF University and believes his political experience, party background and understanding of the constituency put him in a strong position to lead the NPP into the 2028 general elections.

His political credentials include serving as the Upper East Regional Youth Organiser and Regional Communications Officer of the NPP. He has also been part of the party’s regional campaign team during three election cycles in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

Speaking to gbcuraonline.com, Alhaji Bashiru indicated that his immediate priority, should he win the parliamentary primaries, would be to embark on an extensive unity drive to bring together all party stakeholders in the constituency.

He believes that unity, reconciliation and collective commitment would be critical to the NPP’s efforts to reclaim the Tempane parliamentary seat from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2028.

His return to the parliamentary contest could therefore inject fresh energy into the NPP’s preparations in the constituency, particularly as the party seeks to strengthen its grassroots structures and improve its electoral fortunes.

Kpemka’s Absence Raises Questions

Meanwhile, the political landscape in Tempane could see a significant shift following indications that former Member of Parliament for the constituency, Lawyer Joseph D. Kpemka, has not declared his intention to contest the upcoming NPP parliamentary primaries.

Kpemka, who was previously expected to seek the party’s parliamentary ticket, has so far not expressed an interest in contesting this time.

His possible absence from the race could reshape the contest and provide an opportunity for other aspirants, including Alhaji Bashiru, to consolidate support within the party.

However, the former MP is still believed to have an important role to play in the NPP’s broader efforts to reclaim the Tempane parliamentary seat.

With Alhaji Bashiru signalling his return to the contest and uncertainty surrounding Kpemka’s political plans, attention is now turning to who will eventually emerge as the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for Tempane ahead of the 2028 general elections.

The ultimate challenge for the party, however, will be whether it can put its internal differences aside and present a united front capable of unseating the NDC.

Source – gbcuraonline.com