The Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has declined a request by Hajia Amina Adam, widow of the late Ayawaso East Member of Parliament, Nasser Toure Mahama, to be vetted virtually ahead of the party’s parliamentary primaries.
The request was submitted on Tuesday, January 27, by representatives of Hajia Amina, who cited her mourning period and the observance of Islamic widowhood rites as the basis for seeking an online vetting.
However, the party leadership maintained that all aspirants must present themselves physically for the exercise.
Speaking in an interview with TV3, the Deputy Director of Elections of the NDC, Rashid Tanko Computer, explained that the party’s position on virtual vetting has remained unchanged.
“Indeed, the party leadership received a request from the camp of Hajia Amina requesting a virtual vetting. The letter came, we discussed it thoroughly, and compared it to our previous activities. Our position has been very clear; it is only a candidate who is outside this country and finds it extremely difficult to come down to participate in vetting.
“All candidates in the country are denied such privilege. We have never done it before,” he stated.
He stressed that the FEC was unwilling to create a precedent that could be invoked by future aspirants.
“We don’t want to create another precedent that others can rely on and say the Functional Executive has varied its decisions. Therefore, I can also apply for the opportunity to do virtual vetting,” he said.
Vetting of the five aspirants contesting the Ayawaso East parliamentary seat took place on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The NDC parliamentary primary is slated for February 7, 2026, while the Electoral Commission has fixed March 3, 2026, for the by-election in the constituency.
