The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced the forfeiture of membership of Mohammed Umar Sanda after he decided to contest the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election as an independent candidate.
According to the party, Umar Sanda’s decision to contest as an independent candidate while being a member of the NDC automatically terminates his membership under the party’s constitution.
In a press statement issued on February 17 and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the NDC stated,
“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken note of your decision to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming Ayawaso East Constituency by-election scheduled for 3rd March 2026. This action is in direct contravention of the Party’s Constitution and the collective decision of the Party to field a duly and democratically elected candidate.”
The statement continued,
“By virtue of your decision to break ranks with the Party and contest against the officially endorsed candidate of the NDC, you have, in accordance with the provisions of the Party’s Constitution, automatically forfeited your membership of the Party with immediate effect.”
The party further warned Umar Sanda against associating himself with any NDC symbols or identity in his campaign.
“You are hereby formally notified that you are prohibited from using the Party’s name, logo, colors, insignia, symbols, or any other intellectual property or paraphernalia associated with the Party in the course of your campaign or any related political activity.
Please be guided accordingly.”
The Ayawaso East by-election, scheduled for March 3, 2026, was triggered by the death of the long-serving NDC Member of Parliament, Mahama Naser Toure, in January 2026.
Following internal primaries, the NDC officially endorsed Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, who won with 431 votes in a primary held on February 7.
However, Umar Sanda went ahead to file his nomination with the Electoral Commission of Ghana and drew the fourth position on the ballot paper as an independent candidate.
