Ayawaso East parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, has described independent contender Umar Sanda Mohammed as “a brother taking the wrong route” in the ongoing by-election.
Speaking to the media after casting his vote on Tuesday, March 3, Baba Jamal said although he welcomes competition as a democrat, he believes Sanda’s decision to contest independently was misguided.
“Sanda is our brother, but he is taking the wrong route,” he stated when asked whether the independent candidate’s involvement posed a threat to his campaign.
“Unfortunately, he decided to contest, but it is a contest. I am a democrat… so I welcome contests. Let him also try. We are all trying and we will see what Allah will do.”
Sanda, meanwhile, has been expelled from the NDC for defying the party to file his nomination as an independent candidate in the Ayawaso East by-election.
Baba Jamal described the voting process as peaceful across the polling stations he had visited, commending the police for maintaining order.
He noted that turnout had been slow but attributed it to the ongoing Ramadan fast, explaining that the constituency is largely Muslim and participation could increase later in the day.
“The turnout, understandably, is a bit slow because this is largely a Muslim community, but I know it will pick up as the day goes by,” he said.
He urged his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing the need for a peaceful and fair election. “We want to see a peaceful process. We want to see a peaceful election,” he added, appealing to residents to come out and vote rather than leave decisions to others.
On opinion polls by Global InfoAnalytics, Baba Jamal declined to fully endorse the latest projections, noting that he had previously challenged an earlier poll which he believed was inaccurate.
However, he expressed hope that the pollster would uphold its credibility this time.
The Ayawaso East by-election was triggered by the death of former MP Mahama Naser Toure, with voters deciding who will represent the constituency in Parliament.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
