BY Issah Olegor
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially confirmed Baba Ali as its candidate for the upcoming Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election, slated for March 3, 2026, following the death of sitting MP Mahama Naser Toure of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The announcement was made by Divine Agorhom, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NPP, who cited Baba Ali’s experience, humility, and proven ability to mobilise support as key reasons for his selection.
Agorhom highlighted that Baba Ali’s deep familiarity with the party’s internal structures and his capacity to work effectively with members at all levels made him the ideal choice.
“We want somebody who has the party experience, who will work within the party, somebody who is known within the party and somebody who has the humility and the ability to knock doors, go to everybody and work such that we will be able to help him within this small period of time and get the constituency to accept him,” he said.
Baba Ali has previously served as constituency secretary on two occasions, earning the confidence and support of the local leadership.
While the NPP has settled on a single candidate, the NDC primary is shaping up to be highly competitive, reflecting the party’s determination to retain the constituency.
So far, six aspirants have picked up nomination forms for the NDC ticket.
They are Mohammed Ramme, the current NDC Ayawaso East Constituency Chairman; Hajia Amina Adam, widow of the late MP; Baba Jamal, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria and former MP for Akwatia; Dr. Yakubu Azindow, an educationist; Najib Mohammed Sani and Salam Daru, both known for their active participation in local party affairs.
The by-election follows the vacancy left by Naser Toure Mahama, who passed away on January 4, 2026, after a short illness. Parliament formally declared the seat vacant, and the Electoral Commission of Ghana promptly scheduled the by-election to comply with the constitutional requirement that a by-election be held within 60 days of a parliamentary seat becoming vacant.
Political analysts note that the NPP’s selection of Baba Ali is a strategic move aimed at leveraging his grassroots experience and party loyalty in a constituency that has historically leaned towards the NDC.
Meanwhile, the NDC primary is expected to be intense, with high-profile figures like Baba Jamal and Hajia Amina Adam generating significant public interest due to their personal ties to the constituency and the late MP.
