With about six weeks to the March 3, 2026, date set by the Electoral Commission for the Ayawaso East constituency by-election, public discussion within the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in finding a replacement for the late Naser Toure Mahama is deepening, with some voices pushing for his widow, Hajia Amina Adam, to be considered as a replacement candidate.

In separate interviews with Graphic Online, the NDC Ayawaso East Zongo Caucus Coordinator, Mohammed Bashiru, known as Alhaji Dantata, Ismail Abdul Razak, an aide to the late Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, and Hajia Sahadatu Alhassan, a member of the NDC National Communications Team and Head of Corporate Communications at the Ghana Railway Development Authority argued in favour of Hajia Amina Adam.

According to them, their position was informed by her involvement in party activities, her role during the last general election and her familiarity with issues affecting the constituency.

It is therefore their argument that Hajia Amina Adam should be allowed to serve the remainder of her late husband’s term, even though she has not publicly declared any intention to contest.

The push for the widow follows earlier discussions in the constituency in which names such as Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed and Dr Yakubu Azindow, both of whom contested the late MP in the last NDC parliamentary primary, were mentioned as possible replacements.

Mohammed Bashiru on his part told Graphic Online that they had begun organising campaign activities on behalf of Hajia Amina Adam, with arrangements shaped by Islamic mourning practices.

“She is contesting,” Mr Bashiru said. “She is going to be in the house, and we are on the ground campaigning for her.”

He said the decision to campaign on her behalf followed consultations among party supporters who worked closely with her during her husband’s time in office and during the last election.

On concerns about Islamic law and the iddah mourning period, Mr Bashiru said supporters were mindful of religious obligations and had organised their activities accordingly.

“All Muslims respect what the Qur’an orders us to do,” he said. “She will be in the house. We are campaigning for her. Once in a while, she may come out to check how things are going, but not publicly.”

He added that backing for the widow cut across party structures, from polling station executives to branch executives and grassroots supporters.

Ismail Abdul Razak, an aide to the late MP, on his part told Graphic Online that several groups have visited the widow’s home to encourage her to contest.

“They are going to the assembly members and to the branches,” Mr Abdul Razak said. 

He said the encouragement was linked to her role in resolving constituency matters during her husband’s tenure.

“As I am speaking to you, she has not indicated to me that she will be going,” he said. “It is people coming in to give their support and encourage her.”

He added that some supporters had pledged to raise funds to cover nomination costs and campaign activities, while allowing her to observe the four months and ten days iddah period required under Islamic law.

On her part, Hajia Sahadatu Alhassan, a member of the NDC National Communications Team and Head of Corporate Communications at the Ghana Railway Development Authority, said discussions about the widow succeeding her husband started even before the passing of her husband.

“That discussion came up when the husband was alive,” she said. “People were suggesting that he should rest and the wife should continue.”

Ms Alhassan, who said she had worked closely with Hajia Amina Adam, described her as hardworking and politically experienced, especially during the party’s last election campaign.

“She was one of the biggest tools for the husband in the last election,” she said. “I was in the same national monitoring team with her, and she played a central role in the performance of the party.”

She said while the widow had the right to contest, the decision rested with her, given the religious and social pressures women face in politics.“She is entitled to contest if she wants to,” Ms Alhassan said. “But it is about her. It is about what she wants and what she thinks she can handle.”

She cautioned against drawing firm conclusions from the actions of supporters.

For now, the succession question in Ayawaso East remains open, with no public declaration from Hajia Amina Adam and no formal announcement by the party.