I Did Not Leave Yendi: Farouk Mahama Declares 2028 Yendi Comeback Bid

Former Yendi Member of Parliament, Dr Farouk Aliu Mahama, has confirmed his intention to contest the constituency’s parliamentary seat in the 2028 general elections on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), declaring his determination to return to Parliament and complete what he describes as the “Great Yendi Dream”.

His decision follows weeks of appeals from youth groups, traditional leaders, elders and other community stakeholders who have reportedly urged the former legislator to return to active parliamentary politics.

The development signals a possible new chapter in Yendi’s political landscape, with Dr. Mahama seeking another opportunity to represent a constituency he says has remained close to his heart, even after his exit from Parliament.

For Dr. Mahama, however, the ambition appears to go beyond reclaiming a parliamentary seat. It is about reviving a development vision he believes deserves a second chance and continuing a relationship with the people that, according to his supporters, was never broken by an electoral defeat.

His declaration comes as the NPP approaches its November 10, 2026 deadline for prospective parliamentary aspirants to formally register their interest through the party’s online portal.

Dr Mahama represented Yendi in Parliament from 2021 to 2025 after winning the constituency in the December 2020 general elections.

During his four years in office, his representation was associated with interventions in education, rural electrification, road infrastructure, youth empowerment and support for farmers.

One of the notable initiatives was the Farouk Aliu Mahama Education Centre (FAMEC), through which financial assistance was extended to students to help settle their school fees.

The initiative provided relief to families facing financial difficulties and helped deserving students continue their education without the added pressure of unpaid fees.

For Dr Mahama and his supporters, investing in education was never merely about paying school fees. It was about opening doors for young people, strengthening families and preparing a generation capable of contributing meaningfully to Yendi’s future.

His development agenda also placed emphasis on electricity access, with efforts towards rural electrification and the expansion of electricity infrastructure in communities.

Road infrastructure equally featured prominently, particularly efforts aimed at improving access to farming communities and easing the movement of agricultural produce to markets.

In a constituency where farming remains a major source of livelihood, better roads and reliable electricity are more than development statistics; they represent opportunities for businesses, improved livelihoods and stronger local economies.

Vocational training opportunities for young people and interventions to support farmers also formed part of the initiatives credited to his tenure.

Together, these interventions reflected his broader ambition of transforming Yendi into a modern, economically vibrant constituency where residents could enjoy improved opportunities without having to look elsewhere for development.

A Bond Politics Couldn’t Break

Although Dr Mahama’s parliamentary journey was interrupted by his defeat in the December 2024 general elections, his supporters insist that his relationship with the constituency did not end at the ballot box.

They argue that, unlike politicians who become less visible after leaving office, the former MP maintained contact with constituents through educational assistance, community interventions and other forms of support.

Among the recent interventions attributed to him is the donation of a 100KVA generator to a community reportedly affected by unreliable electricity supply. He is also said to have supported a young indigene of Yendi pursuing medical studies abroad.

These gestures, his supporters believe, demonstrate a commitment to public service that extends beyond the privileges and responsibilities of parliamentary office.

Indeed, his proposed return has been framed by supporters as a continuation of a relationship built on representation, accessibility and development rather than one limited to election seasons.

Explaining his decision to contest again, Dr Mahama said: “I did not leave Yendi. Yendi never left me. I am back to finish what we started together – the Great Yendi Dream.”

The statement captures the central message of his comeback bid: that while an election may determine who occupies a parliamentary seat, it does not necessarily determine who remains committed to the people.

His announcement has attracted positive reactions from supporters, one of whom praised him for remaining involved in the constituency after his electoral defeat.

“When he lost, other politicians disappeared. FAM stayed. He paid our fees, he came to our events, he fixed our light. That is why we called him back. We want our MP back,” the social media user wrote.

The Great Return

Supporters have already christened his proposed comeback “The Great Return”, describing it as an opportunity to revive an unfinished development agenda and give Yendi another chance to benefit from his experience.

They believe his familiarity with the constituency, political networks and previous experience in Parliament could strengthen his bid for the NPP parliamentary ticket.

His return could also reopen conversations about party unity, grassroots mobilisation and the development priorities that should shape Yendi’s future.

However, the road back to Parliament will first require him to secure victory in the NPP parliamentary primaries before facing the wider electorate in the 2028 general elections.

For now, Dr Mahama has made his intentions clear. He is not merely seeking another shot at political office; he is presenting his comeback as an opportunity to continue a vision he believes remains unfinished.

In Yendi, where development aspirations remain high, the coming political contest will determine whether the former legislator gets another opportunity to turn the Great Yendi Dream into an even greater reality.