Hajia Amina Adam, the widow of the late Ayawaso East Member of Parliament, has announced her intention to contest the upcoming by-election.
According to Hajia Amina Adam, her decision was shaped by calls from constituents, grassroots members, and elders of the constituency.
Hajia Amina Adam’s decision follows the death of the husband, who passed on Sunday, January 4, 2026, in the afternoon.
The widow of the Ayawaso East Member of Parliament, in a statement issued on Thursday, January 22, stated, “There has been a clarion call from many quarters in my constituency and beyond to step into the shoes of my late husband, who served the East Ayawaso Constituency with distinction. I have pondered over the calls from well-meaning members of the constituency, especially the elders and grassroots, and in so doing, I accept the call to serve my people”.
She added that although the decision comes at a difficult time, she was heeding the counsel of her community, including chiefs, imams, and youth leaders. “I want to assure them that I will not disappoint them,” Hajia Adam stated.
Under Ghana’s Constitution, Article 97 mandates parliament to declare an MP’s seat vacant, with Article 112 mandating that the Clerk of Parliament notify the Electoral Commission (EC) of a vacant seat due to death, resignation, expulsion, or other constitutional grounds like joining another party.
The Electoral Commission (EC) then triggers a by-election within 90 days, unless the vacancy occurs within three months of a general election.
This is to ensure a continuous representation and the people’s right to choose their MP.
The Electoral Commission (EC) on January 16, 2026, declared that a parliamentary by-election for the Ayawaso East Constituency will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Also, the ruling NDC has announced February 7, 2026, for its parliamentary primary to select a candidate for the Ayawaso East Constituency by-election.
According to the NDC, nomination forms will cost GH¢5,000, while the filing fee has been pegged at GH¢40,000.
Meanwhile, Justin Frimpong Kodua, the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has declared that the party will contest the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election.
The NPP General Secretary revealed the party has already begun the process of selecting a suitable candidate.
Speaking on JoyNews on Wednesday, January 7, Mr Kodua stated, “Why shouldn’t we contest?” he asked. “The New Patriotic Party will contest the Ayawaso East by-election, and as I speak to you, we are doing our own candidate search to get a very good, well-accepted candidate to contest.”
Justin Kodua extended condolences to the family of the late Member of Parliament and the NDC.
He stated, “First and foremost, let me send my deepest condolences to the family and the NDC as a party”.
“I was very surprised and shocked that he could make such a statement. This is not the first time we have had by-elections in this country,” he said.
Justin Kodua explained, “When the NPP decided not to contest Tamale Central, the NDC decided to contest Akwatia. So for whatever reason that influenced them to contest Akwatia, the same reason is also influencing us to contest the Ayawaso East by-election.”
“It’s not an issue of whether it is an NDC stronghold or not. We are going to contest, and we are going to make sure that we win the seat.”
“With issues of death, I know the Electoral Commission has about 60 days to organise the by-election. So I can assure you that before the Electoral Commission opens nominations, the NPP will have a candidate for the Ayawaso East by-election.”