H.E John Dramani Mahama (right) in a handshake with Hon Alhassan Suhuyini (left)

Former President John Dramani Mahama has eulogized Hon Alhassan Suhuyini, the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Tamale North Constituency for dedication and commitment to the service of the party.

According to him, the two-term lawmaker for several years has remained committed and worked hard to propel the image of the largest opposition party in the country.

Speaking during the final Islamic funeral rites of the late Hajia Zeinabu Sayibu, mother of the Tamale MP, last Sunday, July 30, Mr. Mahama said though he did not personally know the deceased, he was struck by the numerous good testimonies given by both biological children and nonbiological children of the 66-year-old woman.   

“All the testimonies that were given proves that she was a good human being and it is when good human beings pass that people gather in so many numbers to mourn them but I will say that this has been enhanced because of Suhuyini and his siblings – a lot of us here are friends of her children.

“And for us particularly in the NDC, we’re here because of our jewel, of our special person Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, who, for a very longtime has been very committed to the party even during the days when he was in Journalism and broadcasting and also since when he became the Member of Parliament for Tamale North Constituency” the former Head of State added.

The 2024 NDC Presidential Candidate stated one would just simply admire the eloquence of the legislator when he stands up to speak in Parliament, adding “and for those of us who follow his work as an MP would know why he is very much loved in his constituency.”

He attributed the hard work and commitment to the reason why the young affable politician was among the few incumbent MPs who emerged unopposed across the 275 constituencies in the country during the NDC’s primaries in May 2023.

“So, on this occasion, while we cannot feel the same pain and grief that he and his siblings are feeling, at least our presence and our solidarity will lessen the pain and let them know that in this difficult period, we share their grief and they are not alone in whatever sorrow that they feel” the former Head of State added.

Mr. Mahama further offered prayers for the deceased to find favors and mercy in the blossom of the Almighty Allah for eternal rest.

“Our elders tell us when a person has passed, all they require are prayers for God to accept them into Jannatul Firda’us, they don’t need water and food, they will not go with house and cars; you go alone to meet your maker and it is the intercessory prayers said by those who love you that can make God have mercy on you” he consoled.

Meanwhile, many dignitaries and high-profile personalities in the country were all in attendance to mourn with the Tamale North MP and the bereaved family.

Notably in attendance were the former President, the NDC National Chairman and General Secretary, former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Ali Fawaz, Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, Minister of Gender, Hajia Lariba Abudu, Members of Parliament from both Majority caucus and Minority caucus.

The others were NPP Deputy General, Haruna Mohammed and National Youth Organizer, Salam Mustapha, and Regional Executives of various political parties, traditional leaders of Dagbon, past NDC executives among other bigwigs in the country.  

Brief Profile

Hajia Zeinabu after her birth in Tamale in the late 1950’s, spent most part of her teen life in Sunyani with her paternal Aunty.

Her father, a military Corporal at the time, brought her back to Tamale in the late 1970’s, to attend school. Hajia Zeinabu attended Bishop’s from Form-1 to Form-4.

It was at Bishop’s school that Alhaji Sayibu, who was a senior and former student of the school, saw Hajia Zeinabu and the beautiful union between them commenced.