Nat’l Tymes News Desk – Ayawaso East
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) is set to hold its constituency executive elections across the country this September, with the Ayawaso East contest expected to be keenly fought amid lingering divisions from the party’s recent parliamentary primaries.
The elections will produce new constituency executives who will be responsible for managing the party’s affairs at the grassroots level and helping to mobilise support ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Positions to be contested include Constituency Chairman and Vice Chairman, Secretary and Deputy Secretary, Organizer and Deputy Organizer, Women’s Organizer and Deputy, Youth Organizer and Deputy, Treasurer and Deputy, Communications Officer and Deputy, Zango Caucus Coordinator and other executive positions.
In Ayawaso East, however, the election is expected to be more than a routine internal exercise, following political divisions that emerged from the parliamentary primaries held after the death of the former Member of Parliament, Hon. Mahama Nasser Toure.
There have also been suspicions within some sections of the party that the MP for Ayawaso North and his wife, some constituency executives and other party office holders from Ayawaso North supported Hajia Amina Adams during the contest.
Following the death of the former MP, his wife, Hajia Amina Adams, entered the race for the vacant parliamentary seat and faced competition from Lawyer Ahmed Mohammed Baba Jamal and the then Constituency Chairman, Mohammed Alarbi Ramne, popularly known as Killer.
Information gathered by National Tymes further indicates that, before the primaries, there was considerable disagreement between the current Municipal Chief Executive, Mallam Fari, and the then Constituency Chairman, Killer, on one side, and the wife of the late MP on the other, over who should lead the contest against Lawyer Baba Jamal and which candidate should receive their support.
Baba Jamal eventually won the primaries, securing the NDC parliamentary candidacy on his third attempt, and subsequently became the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East.
Although the primaries produced a clear winner, the contest appears to have left political wounds within sections of the constituency.
Some party insiders claim that supporters of the defeated candidates have not fully reconciled themselves with the outcome, although they continue to publicly identify with and work for the NDC.
According to political observers, the situation could become a major factor in the upcoming constituency elections as different groups position themselves for the various executive positions.
Battle for Control:
The growing interest in the constituency elections has raised concerns that the exercise could become a fresh battleground between groups perceived to be associated with the MP and supporters of Hajia Amina Adams.
Information gathered by National Tymes indicates that almost all the current constituency executives are seeking re-election, shifting to one position or a step forward, while some former executives are also preparing to return to the contest.
At the same time, a number of supporters of MP Baba Jamal are said to be preparing to contest various positions, while supporters of Hajia Amina Adams are also reportedly making similar preparations.
Some executives are said to be maintaining a neutral position, while others are believed to have openly aligned themselves with one or the other of the two political camps. The situation became more noticeable during the MP’s recent ward accountability tour, which brought together constituency and ward executives.
Although all constituency executives participated in the tour as part of their official responsibilities, sources within the party claim that some attended with reservations because of the political differences that emerged during the parliamentary contest.
The development has revived concerns about whether the party has been able to fully heal the divisions created by the primaries.
Before the by-election, national and regional party leaders, as well as elders of the NDC, reportedly appealed to the various factions to put their differences aside and work together for the success of the party.
Party sources, however, say tensions have persisted, although much of the disagreement has been kept away from public view.
NPP Sees Opportunity:
The divisions within the NDC have also become a point of political interest for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), particularly as both parties position themselves ahead of the 2028 elections.
The recent resurfacing of the Nima Highway and some inner roads in the constituency has already generated political debate.
Former Ayawaso East Municipal Chief Executive under the NPP administration, Hajia Salma Adams Sani-Kuta, has reportedly claimed credit for lobbying for the projects during the NPP’s eight years in government.
The development has provided the opposition with an opportunity to remind voters of what it describes as its previous interventions in the constituency, while the NDC administration and its supporters are expected to make their own case to voters.
Why Baba Jamal Faces Resistance:
Further checks by National Tymes suggest that opposition to Baba Jamal within sections of the constituency may have roots that predate the recent parliamentary primaries.
Some party supporters reportedly questioned his decision to contest the Ayawaso East seat after previously serving as Member of Parliament for Akwatia in the Eastern Region.
They argue that although Baba Jamal had his basic education in Nima while staying with his God-father and is therefore familiar with the area, his previous political career outside Ayawaso East made some supporters uncomfortable with his candidacy.
There were also claims by some constituents that Baba Jamal had not been sufficiently responsive to requests for assistance from some people in the constituency when he served as Deputy Minister for Local Government.
Sources say those who held that view preferred Hajia Amina Adams during the primaries. Supporters of Baba Jamal, however, strongly disagree with the claims.
They argue that some of the requests made to Baba Jamal at the time were matters that also fell within the responsibilities of the then sitting MP and should not be used to judge his performance or commitment to the constituency.
His supporters also point to his experience as a lawyer, former Deputy National Secretary of the NDC, political communicator and former parliamentarian, arguing that these qualities make him capable of providing effective leadership for the constituency.
September Contest:
With the nomination process expected to begin on September 15, all eyes are now on Ayawaso East as the various groups prepare for what could become one of the most closely watched constituency executive elections in the Greater Accra Region.
For the NDC, however, the major issue may not simply be who wins the individual positions, but whether the party can manage the competition without deepening the divisions left behind by the parliamentary primaries.
Party observers warn that a prolonged internal struggle could affect grassroots mobilisation and the NDC’s chances of retaining the constituency in the 2028 general elections.
For now, the race remains open, but the coming weeks are expected to reveal whether Ayawaso East will witness a routine constituency election or another intense battle for political control.
Stay tuned to National Tymes for further updates.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
