The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has downplayed the chances of Mohammed Umar Sanda, the independent candidate in the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election, confidently predicting that he will secure less than two percent of the votes cast.
Anthony Nukpenu, the Greater Accra Regional Organiser for the NDC, made the assertion in an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Friday, February 27. He stated unequivocally that the party does not view Mr. Sanda, whose membership was recently revoked, as a significant challenger in the race scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
“Umar Sanda is not a threat. All we were trying to do is to talk to our brother — you must have ambition, but don’t be over-ambitious,” Mr. Nukpenu said. He added that by choosing to run independently, Mr. Sanda had forfeited his political capital. “Now he has chosen this route, he has shot himself in the foot; he has lost his heritage.”
The regional organiser expressed confidence in the party’s stronghold on the constituency, projecting that the official NDC candidate would secure at least 75% of the vote. He also issued a stern warning to any party executive who might be tempted to support the independent bid, stating that such actions would attract consequences.
Mr. Sanda’s decision to contest the by-election as an independent led to the automatic revocation of his NDC membership. In a letter dated February 17, 2026, the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, confirmed that Mr. Sanda’s move to challenge the party’s officially endorsed candidate, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, was a direct violation of party rules.
Consequently, the NDC has barred Mr. Sanda from using its name, logo, colors, symbols, or any related intellectual property in his campaign.
With the by-election just days away, the NDC is working to consolidate its base and retain the seat, now facing the added dynamic of a campaign by a former member running independently.
