The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has elected Mr Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed as its parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso East Constituency ahead of the March 3 by-election, following the party’s internal primary held on February 7, 2026.
Provisional results released after the close of polls showed that Mr Jamal, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, secured 431 votes from the total ballots cast.
He was closely followed by Hajia Amina Adam, widow of the late Member of Parliament, Mr Naser Toure, who polled 399 votes. Mr Mohammed Ramne, the Ayawaso East NDC Constituency Chairman, placed third with 88 votes.
Dr Yakubu Azindow obtained 45 votes, while Mr Najib Mohammed Sani recorded one vote.
The closely contested primary attracted more than 1,100 accredited delegates from across the constituency, reflecting the high stakes involved in selecting a candidate for the by-election in a seat widely regarded as an NDC stronghold.
Five aspirants contested the race: Hajia Amina Adam, Mr Baba Jamal, Dr Yakubu Azindow—who had previously contested against the late MP in the 2023 primary—Mr Mohammed Ramne, and Mr Mohammed Sani.
Although the race was initially considered open, it later narrowed into a tight contest among Mr Jamal, Hajia Amina Adam, and Dr Azindow.
The election, however, was marred by controversy. Reports emerged both a day before the polls and on voting day alleging inducement and vote-buying, with claims that some delegates were offered television sets, cash, and motorbikes in exchange for their support. Videos circulating on social media showed some delegates leaving polling centres carrying television sets and other items.
In a statement issued the same day, the NDC said its national executives had taken note of what it described as widespread incidents of inducement and vote-buying allegedly perpetrated by some aspirants.
The party condemned the acts, describing them as an affront to its values and principles, and announced that it had launched investigations into the matter.
It warned that swift sanctions would be applied against any candidate found culpable, including the possible cancellation of elections in future cases.
With the primary concluded, Mr Jamal is expected to lead the NDC into the March 3 parliamentary by-election as the party seeks to retain the Ayawaso East seat.
