The political climate in the Ayawaso East constituency has reached a fever pitch as the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) prepares for a high-stakes primary today, Saturday, 7th February 2026.

The contest aims to elect a candidate for the upcoming March 3, 2026, by-election, a seat left vacant following the death of the incumbent, Naser Toure.

Given the NDC’s historic stranglehold over this enclave, whoever emerges victorious today is widely regarded as a potential parliamentarian.

The Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the NDC, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, has confirmed that all arrangements are finalised for the polls.

The Ghana Police Service will manage security, while the Electoral Commission is set to supervise the process.

Voting is scheduled to commence at 9:00 am and conclude at 4:00 pm.

While five candidates appear on the ballot, political analysts and party supporters suggest the election has virtually narrowed down to a three-horse race between the frontrunners.

The aspirants appear on the ballot in the following order:

1. Mohammed Ramne (Constituency Chairman)
2. Hajia Amina Adam (Widow of the late MP)
3. Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed (High Commissioner to Nigeria)
4. Dr Yakubu Azindow (Political Scientist)
5. Najib Mohammed Sani

The favourites are widely tipped to be Baba Jamal, Dr Azindow, and Hajia Amina Adam.

The latter is expected to benefit from significant sympathy votes following the loss of her husband.

To understand the current tension, one must look at the data from the last NDC primary held in 2023 for the 2024 general elections.

In that contest, the late Naser Toure secured a dominant victory, but the margins for the runners-up highlight a competitive field:

• Naser Toure (Late MP): 452 votes (44.93%)
• Baba Jamal: 309 votes (30.72%)
• Dr Yakubu Azindow: 242 votes (24.06%)

With over 1,100 delegates expected to congregate at the Nima Cluster of Schools today, the 551-vote threshold for an absolute majority will be the target for all aspirants.

The leading candidates bring a diverse array of academic and professional credentials to the race:

• Hajia Amina Adam: Holding Master's degrees from UPSA and Milan, Italy, she is campaigning on youth and women empowerment. She describes herself as a "distinguished entrepreneur, philanthropist and community development advocate" with deep roots in Nima.
• Baba Jamal: The legal practitioner and former Deputy Minister views this as a "homecoming". He stated, “I see this election as a call to come and serve the good people of Ayawaso East,” asserting he is the best choice to represent the party in Parliament.
• Dr Yakubu Azindow: A PhD holder in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, he touts his "grassroots connections and track record" as essential for attracting development.
• Mohammed Ramne: The Constituency Chairman is relying on his "proven track record" and a message of continuity.
• Najib Mohammed Sani: His platform focuses on "education, women, youth empowerment, sports and recreation," stating that on the ground, "the people believe in Najib to deliver".

Latest polling trends from Global Info Analytics suggest that the widow effect for Hajia Amina Adam is a potent factor that has placed her as the clear frontrunner in the upcoming contest, giving her a commanding lead over her closest rivals.

According to the data released ahead of the primaries, Hajia Amina Adam commands 58 per cent of voter preference among delegates and party supporters surveyed, positioning her as the favourite to clinch the party’s ticket in the traditionally competitive constituency.

The survey results presented by Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics Mussa Dankwah on Thursday, February 5, show a wide margin between Hajia Amina Adam and the rest of the field.