Ayawaso East By-Election: Late MP’s widow emerges as preferred choice of Nima youth

Youth in Nima have urged Hajia Amina Adam, the widow of the late Ayawaso East Member of Parliament, Mahama Naser Toure, to contest the upcoming parliamentary by-election in the constituency. The Electoral Commission has fixed the by-election for March 3, 2026, following the death of the sitting MP.

A video circulating on social media shows a group of young men and women from Nima, a community within the Ayawaso East Constituency, visiting the late MP’s residence to formally encourage his wife to represent them in Parliament. The youth described Hajia Amina Adam, an oil and gas professional, as a capable and suitable candidate to continue her husband’s legacy.

The by-election became necessary after the passing of Mahama Naser Toure, popularly known as Mac Naza, on Sunday, January 4, 2026, after a brief illness at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. He was buried at the Madina Cemetery on Monday, January 5, 2026, following Janazah prayers at the National Mosque in Kanda.

Under Ghana’s electoral laws, the death of a sitting MP requires the Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election to fill the vacant seat. Ayawaso East is considered a stronghold of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), with the late MP having won the constituency in four consecutive elections between 2012 and 2024.

In addition to Hajia Amina Adam, several other individuals are reportedly preparing to contest the NDC parliamentary primary ahead of the by-election. These include Ghana’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Alhaji Baba Jamal Ahmed; educationist Dr Yakubu Azindow; social activist Yahya Alhassan; businessman Mahmuda Sulley; nursing officer and youth activist Abdul Salam Mohammed Darrul; Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly member Sanda Mohammed Umar; and youth activist Abdul Razzag Mohammed.

Both Baba Jamal and Dr Azindow previously contested Mac Naza for the NDC Ayawaso East parliamentary slot in 2022 but were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced its intention to participate in the by-election despite calls for the party to step aside. NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong stated that the party has begun preparations to select a strong candidate for the contest.