Aide of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Vice Chairman, Chief Sofo Azorka has been arrested by the Eastern Regional Police Command in connection with an alleged assault on Alhaji Masawudu Osman, the Third National Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The police, in a statement disclosed that Chief Sofo Azorka was arrested in Tamale on Wednesday, September 10. Alhaji Azorka has since been granted bail. He is expected to appear before the court on Tuesday, September 16.

The police assured the public of a thorough investigation into the matter, while entreating all to remain calm as further development shall be communicated.

During the by-election on Tuesday, September 2, Alhaji Masawudu Osman was reportedly slapped by Alhaji Sofo Azorka. Alhaji Osman Masawudu has reported that the scuffle began while he was monitoring the ongoing election, specifically at the Akwatia Zongo area.

According to him, before the incident, the National Democratic Congress’s Vice Chairman's aide had threatened to cane him.

“I have been assigned to supervise and monitor the election at Akwatia Zongo. In fact, I was granting an interview when a national vice chairman of the NDC, Azorka — because of ignorance — came straight to where I was granting an interview to attack me.“This incident happened in the presence of the police. He said it clearly that today he will make sure that I will be caned here, myself and Afenyo-Markin," Masawudu recounted.

However, police personnel present at the scene managed to restore calm.

In a viral video an individual was seen being carried into a police van after the police arrested him for reportedly destroying a poster of a contestant in the Akwatia by-election.

The by-election did not witness a lot of chaos, unlike those that occurred during the Ablekuma-North rerun election.

The EC on Tuesday, September 2, held a by-election for constituents in 119 polling stations of the Akwatia constituency to provide constituents a representative, following the sudden passing of their former MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi.

Ernest Kumi was confirmed dead on Monday, July 7, 2025. At the time of his passing, Ernest Kumi had only served the constituency for six months.

On Tuesday, September 2, more than 50,000 registered constituents in Akwatia cast their ballots to select an MP to represent the constituencyin Parliament.

The NDC elected legal practitioner Bernard Bediako Baidoo to contest the election. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the other hand, selected the Chief Executive of Owuo Mining Company, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, as its parliamentary candidate for the by-election.

However, David Ankomah, who sought to contest on the ticket of the Action People’s Party (APP), was disqualified by the Electoral Commission (EC) over failing to submit his tax clearance certificate. As a result, the disqualified candidate filed a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission.

He has challenged the EC at the High Court for excluding him for failing to submit his tax clearance certificate. Ankomah argued that the Commission gave him too short a notice to produce the certificate through the Akwatia District Electoral Officer, which caused the delay to provide the required document.

Additionally, he maintains that he completed all necessary processes needed to participate in the race. He further prayed the Court to suspend the by-election until the case is determined.

Meanwhile, over 5,500 police personnel were deployed to Akwatia to ensure law and order during the by-election. The police grouped the constituency into nine security zones to ensure effective coverage.

600 officers were fully armed to swiftly respond to any disturbances that may occur during the exercise.

In the coming days, constituents of Tamale Central will vote to elect a representative in Parliament. The upcoming by-election is slated for Tuesday, September 30.

This follows the death of its legislator, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. He was among the eight individuals who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident on August 6. He was laid to rest on August 10.