The political atmosphere in the Ayawaso East constituency has intensified as the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) goes to the polls today, Saturday, February 7, 2026, to elect its parliamentary candidate ahead of the March 3 by-election.
The by-election follows the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Naser Toure, leaving the seat vacant. Given the NDC’s long-standing dominance in the constituency, the winner of today’s primary is widely viewed as the frontrunner to become the next MP.
Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the NDC, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, has confirmed that all logistical and administrative arrangements have been completed. Security will be provided by the Ghana Police Service, while the Electoral Commission will supervise the process.
Voting is scheduled to begin at 9:00 am and close at 4:00 pm at the Nima Cluster of Schools, where more than 1,100 delegates are expected to cast their ballots. An aspirant will need at least 551 votes to secure an outright majority.
Although five candidates are contesting the primary, analysts and party insiders say the race has effectively narrowed to three leading contenders.
The candidates, in ballot order, are:
Mohammed Ramne, Constituency Chairman
Hajia Amina Adam, widow of the late MP
Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, High Commissioner to Nigeria
Dr Yakubu Azindow, Political Scientist
Najib Mohammed Sani
Baba Jamal, Dr Yakubu Azindow and Hajia Amina Adam are widely tipped as the frontrunners, with Hajia Amina expected to benefit significantly from sympathy votes following the death of her husband.
Results from the NDC’s 2023 parliamentary primary for the 2024 general elections underscore the competitive nature of the constituency. In that contest, the late Naser Toure won decisively, but the margins among the runners-up were close:
Naser Toure: 452 votes (44.93%)
Baba Jamal: 309 votes (30.72%)
Dr Yakubu Azindow: 242 votes (24.06%)
The leading contenders bring varied academic and professional backgrounds into the race.
Hajia Amina Adam holds Master’s degrees from UPSA and Milan, Italy, and is campaigning on youth and women empowerment. She describes herself as a distinguished entrepreneur, philanthropist and community development advocate with strong ties to Nima.
Baba Jamal, a legal practitioner and former Deputy Minister, has framed the contest as a “homecoming,” stating, “I see this election as a call to come and serve the good people of Ayawaso East.”
Dr Yakubu Azindow, who holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, is highlighting his grassroots connections and development-oriented track record.
Mohammed Ramne is banking on his experience as Constituency Chairman and a message of continuity, while Najib Mohammed Sani is campaigning on education, youth and women empowerment, as well as sports and recreation.
Meanwhile, latest polling by Global Info Analytics suggests a strong “widow effect” has propelled Hajia Amina Adam into a commanding lead. According to survey results presented by the firm’s Executive Director, Mussa Dankwah, on Thursday, February 5, Hajia Amina commands 58 per cent voter preference among delegates and party supporters surveyed, positioning her as the clear favourite to secure the NDC ticket.
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