The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama yesterday surprised both supporters of the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party in the Tamale Metropolis where he visited the office of the Northern Regional NDC. The unprecedented visit raised some eye brows but Alhaji Mahama was welcomed with friendly handshakes and embraces by party officials. In brief remarks, Alhaji Mahama described party politics as sharing of ideas and galvanizing support for the development of society but no creation divisions or enmity. He therefore entreated supporters of the two parties to forge ahead in unity and collaborate to bring development to the Northern Region. The Vice President said the region was bedeviled with conflicts, diseases and hunger which required everybody’s support and contribution to eliminate. He said being political opponents did not prevent members and supporters of the two partners in development”. Alhaji Mahama jokingly asked the NDC supporters in the area to leave their party and join the NPP as he said it is the party for the Northerners. This attracted laughter and cheers from both sides which he signified the beauty of democracy. He noted that in the past six-and-a-half years the NPP had initiated and brought a lot of development to the area. He cited the Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme as policies that were initiated by the government aimed at reducing poverty especially in the Northern Region. The Vice-President, therefore, pleaded with the NDC executives not to feel shy but rather embrace these programmes which are meant for everybody and not for only NPP adherents. Alhaji Mahama also called on them to impress upon their supporters to portray a good image of the metropolis by avoiding acts that are likely to disturb the prevailing peace in the area. Earlier, Alhaji Mahama paid a courtesy call on the newly installed Chief Imam of Ambarriya Mosque in the metropolis, Sheikh Abubakari Saed, and urged him to use his position to promote peace and unity in the area. He also urged him to ensure that Muslim children are given formal education so as to gain knowledge to propagate Islam. Sheikh Saed thanked Alhaji Mahama for the visit and pledged to help develop the area. The Vice-President also attended the seventh day "Adua" (funeral) of the late Chief of Sanaregu, Andani Andan. Source: The Ghanaian Times