Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, has explained his decision to contest the Ayawaso East parliamentary seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), rather than remain in his coveted diplomatic post.

He stressed that his decision to seek the party’s nomination in his birthplace is motivated by a desire to serve, not personal ambition.

Baba Jamal, a lawyer, is one of six aspirants who have picked nomination forms to contest the NDC primary ahead of the March 3 by-election, following the death of the constituency’s Member of Parliament (MP), Mahama Naser Toure.

Speaking to journalists after filing his nomination, the former MP for Akwatia in the Eastern Region appealed to delegates to consider his experience and capacity to bring what he described as meaningful development to the constituency.

“Tomorrow, there will be vetting for all the candidates who have presented their documents. For those who keep asking why Baba Jamal is leaving Nigeria as High Commissioner to return for the title of Honourable, let me make it clear: my motivation is service, not material gain. It is humanism and service to the people,” he said.

“I believe my service here will be more useful to my people and to the nation than my service in Nigeria, not because I do not regard my position there. I hold it in high esteem. But when duty calls where you are needed most, you must respond.”

Baba Jamal is contesting the NDC ticket against Hajia Amina Adam, the widow of the late Ayawaso East MP, along with four other candidates, ahead of the by-election scheduled for March 3.

Addressing supporters, Jamal emphasised that he was born and raised in Nima, a major community within the Ayawaso East constituency.

Confirming his intention to contest the by-election, he said his decision was driven by a strong sense of duty.

“It is true, by God’s grace, I will contest in the Ayawaso East constituency by-election. I see it as a call to come and serve the good people of Ayawaso East,” he said in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen programme.

The development sets the stage for what is expected to be a keenly contested by-election in the traditionally competitive constituency, as the NDC seeks to retain the seat amid growing internal rivalry.

So far, six high-profile individuals, including Hajia Amina Adam, have picked up nomination forms to contest the party’s primary.

The seat became vacant following the sudden death of Toure in early January 2026.

For the NDC, Ayawaso East is more than just another constituency.

It is widely regarded as a Zongo stronghold that has not fallen to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) since the return to constitutional rule in 1992.

Meanwhile, Hajia Amina Adam has formally filed her nomination to contest the NDC parliamentary slot ahead of the by-election.

She will face five other contenders, including Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, in the race for the party’s ticket.

Hajia Adam explained that her decision to contest the seat was influenced by constituents’ calls urging her to step forward and continue the work initiated by her late husband.

Supporters were seen in high spirits as her nomination was officially filed, marking the start of what promises to be a keenly contested primary.

Her entry into the race has generated significant interest in the Nima and Maamobi communities.

While some observers view her candidacy as benefiting from sympathy, her aides insist the decision is mission-driven rather than personal.

According to her team, she was persuaded to run following sustained pressure from community elders and women’s groups who want her to continue the social interventions championed by her late husband.

She is positioning herself as a servant of the people, drawing on her familiarity with the constituency’s needs.

The NDC Greater Accra Regional Secretary, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, has confirmed that five other male aspirants are also in the race.

They include Dr Yakubu Azindow, a perennial contender who polled 215 votes in the 2024 primary; constituency chairman Mohammed Ramme, a grassroots organiser; Mohammed Abdul Salam, popularly known as Abdul Salam Daru, representing the youth wing; and Najib Mohammed Sani, regarded as a rising figure within the constituency’s intellectual circles.

The party’s internal processes are moving swiftly, with submission of nomination forms scheduled for January 27; vetting, balloting and appeals on January 28; and the parliamentary primary on February 7.

The NDC’s main rival, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has named Baba Ali as its parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso East by-election, signalling its readiness to mount an aggressive campaign.

The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the party, Divine Agorhom, who confirmed the decision in an interview on Citi FM on Monday, January 26, said the choice followed extensive consultations and was informed by the candidate’s experience, humility and ability to mobilise support within a limited timeframe.

Agorhom explained that the party deliberately selected a candidate well-grounded in its internal structures and capable of working harmoniously with party members at all levels to galvanise grassroots support.

“We want someone with strong party experience, who understands our structures, is well known within the party, and has the humility and willingness to go door-to-door to engage everyone so that, within this short period, we can work together to make him acceptable to the constituency,” he said.

He added that the party leadership was satisfied that Baba Ali best met these criteria.

“The individual we settled on clearly ticked all the boxes, and for that reason, we believe we are well-positioned going into the by-election,” he stated.

Agorhom further noted that Baba Ali has served twice as constituency secretary and enjoys the full backing of the local party leadership, a factor he described as critical to the party’s strategy.