The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has declared support for independent candidate Professor Alhassan Wayo Seini for the Tamale Central bye-election.

The NPP did not field a candidate. Seini filed for the election as an independent candidate after the NPP withdrew from the election.

According to the NPP it took the decision not to contest the bye-election to avoid an inflammation of the already tensed political atmosphere in the area.

Prof Wayo Seini resigned from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) a couple of months ago citing violence and lack of internal democracy.

His resignation triggered Tuesday?s bye-election, which the opposition NDC is confident of winning.

Prof Wayo Seini has been lashed by politicians, civil society and members of the public after he defected from the NDC to the NPP.