The widow of the late Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Hajia Amina Adam, has formally declared her intention to contest the forthcoming parliamentary by-election, setting the stage for what is expected to be a closely watched political contest in the constituency.
Her decision follows the death of her husband, Mahama Naser Toure, which led to the vacancy of the Ayawaso East seat. In line with constitutional requirements, the Electoral Commission announced on January 16, 2026, that a by-election will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, to fill the vacancy created by the legislator’s passing.
Under Article 112(5) of the 1992 Constitution, Parliament must notify the Electoral Commission whenever a seat becomes vacant, after which the Commission is mandated to organise a by-election within a specified period. The Ayawaso East contest will therefore mark the constituency’s return to the polls barely weeks after losing its sitting MP.
In a statement issued on Thursday, January 22, Hajia Amina Adam said her decision to step forward was not driven by personal ambition but by sustained appeals from within the constituency. According to her, elders, grassroots party members, and residents of Ayawaso East have encouraged her to continue the work her late husband began in Parliament.
She described the calls as a “clarion call” from the people she hopes to serve, noting that she took time to reflect on the responsibility before agreeing to contest. Hajia Adam said her late husband had served the constituency with commitment and distinction, and that she sees her decision as a continuation of that service rather than a departure from it.
Acknowledging the emotional weight of the moment, she said the decision comes at a difficult time for her family, but one she has accepted after consultations with traditional leaders, religious figures, youth leaders, and other opinion leaders in the constituency. She expressed confidence that the support she has received reflects a shared desire for continuity and stability in representation.
“I want to assure them that I will not disappoint them,” she said, pledging to uphold the trust placed in her by the community.
The declaration has added momentum to preparations ahead of the by-election, particularly within the National Democratic Congress, which holds the seat. The party has already announced guidelines for its internal parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency as it moves to select a candidate for the March 3 contest.
Political observers say Hajia Adam’s entry into the race introduces a strong emotional and symbolic dimension to the by-election, as voters weigh continuity against other considerations such as experience, party strategy, and constituency development priorities. Widow-successor candidacies have historically resonated with sections of the electorate, particularly where the late MP was widely regarded as committed to local issues.
As campaigning begins to take shape, attention will now turn to how the various aspirants position themselves, how parties manage their internal processes, and whether sympathy, legacy, or policy-driven appeals ultimately shape voter choice in Ayawaso East.
With less than two months to the polls, the by-election is expected to draw national attention, not only as a test of party strength in the constituency, but also as a reflection of how communities respond when political service is abruptly interrupted by loss.
