The Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has turned down a request by Hajia Amina Adam, widow of the late Ayawaso East Member of Parliament Nasser Toure Mahama, to be vetted virtually ahead of the party’s parliamentary primaries.
The request, submitted on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, by representatives of Hajia Amina, cited her ongoing mourning period and the observance of Islamic widowhood rites as grounds for seeking an online vetting process.
However, the party leadership maintained that all aspirants must present themselves in person.
Speaking on TV3’s Ghana Tonight, NDC Deputy Director of Elections Rashid Tanko Computer explained that virtual vetting is only considered for aspirants who are outside the country and unable to return for the process. Candidates residing in Ghana are not granted such an option.
“We have never done it before, and we do not want to vary our decisions in a way that others can rely on to make similar requests,” he noted, emphasising the FEC’s desire to avoid setting a precedent.
Vetting of the five aspirants contesting the Ayawaso East parliamentary seat is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
The NDC parliamentary primaries will be held on February 7, 2026, while the Electoral Commission has fixed March 3, 2026, for the by-election in the constituency following the death of the sitting MP.
Hajia Amina Adam had earlier announced her intention to contest the by-election, citing strong appeals from constituents, party grassroots members, and traditional elders who urged her to continue the work of her late husband.
The party’s decision has sparked discussions among supporters, with some expressing sympathy for her situation while others support the insistence on in-person vetting to maintain consistency and fairness in the process.
