One of the independent candidates in the just-ended Ayawaso East by-election, Mohammed Umar Sanda, has reacted to reports of his dismissal from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to him, the party did not treat him with respect and denied him the opportunity to contest in the election, which ultimately influenced his decision to run as an independent candidate.

Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb TV on March 3, 2026, during the Ayawaso East by-election, Umar Sanda indicated that after the party dismissed him, he was later called back for negotiations.

He described this as disrespectful, claiming that the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, came to his constituency, passed by his house without acknowledging him and instead went on a party platform to warn him to rescind his decision.

He emphasised that this was an affront to his dignity.

“After the party sacked me and announced it publicly, I received many calls urging me to rejoin. But if the party truly needed me, they should have officially denounced the dismissal letter.

'You're still our brother, but no longer part of NDC' – Asiedu Nketia tells Umar Sanda

“Nothing like that happened. You cannot sack me in writing and then call me back without reversing it. The National Chairman stood on a platform and gave me three days to return but I don’t think that was the right approach. He even passed through my house without greeting me, yet went on stage to warn me. After serving the NDC for 36 years, I believe I deserve respect,“ he said.

Umar Sanda maintained that he would not speak ill of Asiedu Nketiah, acknowledging his elder status but insisted that the manner in which the chairman addressed him was inappropriate.

Mohammed Umar Sanda contested alongside four other candidates in the Ayawaso East by-election but unfortunately lost to Baba Jamal, who represented the NDC.

AM/AE

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