By-election: Ayawaso East parliamentary seat will flip to NPP — Salam Mustapha

National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has expressed optimism that the Ayawaso East parliamentary seat will flip to the NPP at the close of polls in Tuesday’s by-election.

About 49,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots in the March 3 election to fill the vacancy created by the death of the area’s MP, Naser Toure Mahama.

Five candidates are contesting the seat, including Baba Jamal for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Baba Ali Yusif for the NPP.

Speaking to journalists at a polling station, Salam Mustapha expressed confidence that the NPP would secure a historic victory.

“Today, we are going to count Ayawaso East as one of the seats of the NPP, and that’s what we have worked towards, and by the grace of God, we are going to achieve it,” he said.

The NPP youth organiser further took a swipe at the NDC, arguing that the electorate would reject the ruling party over what he described as failed promises and economic mismanagement.

“It’s common sense that people want to live better lives, and the NDC is not giving them that opportunity. Do you think that these same people will get up and go and vote for the NDC?” he asked.

According to him, the NPP candidate, Baba Ali Yusif, is a homeboy who enjoys deep roots in the constituency and represents a fresh start for residents.

He said the party’s campaign engagements indicate strong grassroots support and optimism about the outcome.