Delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ayawaso East Constituency went to the polls on Saturday, February 7, to elect a parliamentary candidate for the forthcoming by-election, amid a lively atmosphere marked by campaign activity and heightened interest from party supporters.
As voting commenced at designated polling centres, members of the campaign team of one of the aspirants, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, distributed 32-inch television sets to delegates participating in the exercise. In addition to the electronic items, boiled eggs were also shared with some voters, a development that briefly caused congestion and jostling among delegates eager to receive the food.
The primary forms part of the NDC’s internal democratic process to select a candidate to contest the Ayawaso East parliamentary seat, which has become vacant following the death of the sitting Member of Parliament. The by-election is expected to be a keenly contested race, given the constituency’s political significance and its history of close electoral outcomes.
Five aspirants were cleared by the party’s vetting committee to contest the primary after successfully meeting all eligibility requirements. They are Mohammed Ramme, the NDC Ayawaso East Constituency Chairman; Amina Adam, the widow of the late MP; Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria and a former Member of Parliament; Yakubu Azindow; and Najib Mohammed.
Throughout the voting process, party officials were on hand to supervise proceedings and ensure that laid-down guidelines were followed. Security personnel were also present to maintain order and guarantee a peaceful exercise, as the NDC seeks to project unity and discipline ahead of the by-election.
Speaking to journalists at the polling venue, Baba Jamal downplayed suggestions that the items distributed by his team were intended to influence the choices of delegates. He explained that the gesture was simply an act of goodwill towards party members who had gathered early to take part in the primary.
According to him, delegates were mature and experienced enough to make independent decisions based on their assessment of the candidates’ competence, vision, and commitment to the party’s ideals. He stressed that his confidence lay in his track record of public service and his familiarity with both parliamentary work and constituency politics.
Political observers note that the Ayawaso East primary has attracted attention not only because of the profile of the candidates but also due to the strategic importance of the seat ahead of the next general election. The NDC is keen on retaining the constituency and fielding a candidate capable of mobilising grassroots support and appealing to swing voters.
While gift-giving during internal party contests often generates debate, party executives have repeatedly urged aspirants and supporters to conduct their campaigns responsibly and in a manner that upholds the credibility of the process. The NDC leadership has emphasised that unity after the primary will be crucial for a successful by-election campaign.
Source: Africa Publicity
