Tamale, Sept. 1, GNA- Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer, on Monday suspended his tour of the Northern Region abruptly for peace to prevail in the area.

In a media briefing in Tamale on Monday, the running mate explained that it was not proper for people to fight during the month of Ramadan and said he would resume his political activities in the area later. He said there was an increasing support for the NPP in the Region adding that the alleged shooting incident that characterised his arrival in Tamale was painful.

Dr Bawumia said he had to end the tour, which included calls on chiefs, religious and opinion leaders in the Tamale Metropolis to ensure that calm returned to the area.

Dr Bawumia said it was unfortunate that some people resorted to violence just at the beginning of Ramadan, which was supposed to be a time for peace and reconciliation and called for efforts to restore peace in the Metropolis.

He said it was really a painful incident because for people in the three Northern Regions, the celebration of Ramadan presented them with a golden opportunity to unite, put ideas together to move the development of the area forward.

Dr Bawumia said "We should not shed a drop of blood during this year's elections. We should put our ideas together, package them well and leave them for the electorate to judge and give us the necessary votes instead of fighting one another."

He asked the youth not to allow self-seeking politicians to use them for destruction instead the youth should unite and fight poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy.

Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, NPP Campaign National Coordinator, said the Northern tour was very successful but expressed regret at the alleged shooting incident on Sunday.

He called on the security agencies to investigate, and arrest the culprits irrespective of their political affiliations for sanity to prevail.

Dr Apraku said the people of Tamale had given the NPP one of the best welcomes, which indicated that the party was receiving overwhelming support in the Northern Region but added: "Unfortunately, the tour has to end on a sad note."