Baba Ali Yussif, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the upcoming March 3 Ayawaso East by-election, has called on the recalled High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Jamal, to prepare for his political retirement.
Currently serving as the NPP Constituency Secretary, Yussif expressed strong optimism about his chances of defeating Jamal and flipping the seat from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Yussif argued that despite the NDC holdi8ng the seat for several decades, the constituency lacks any record of major developmental projects.
Campaigning on a platform of progress, the young politician stated he is ready to lead initiatives that will transform the local landscape.
Upon election, he seeks to tackle key challenges including enhancing waste management systems under sanitation, renovating deteriorated road networks under infrastructure, and establishing a Senior High School within the constituency under education.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Yussif dismissed the notion that Ayawaso East remains an NDC stronghold. He suggested that voters are ready to “shock” the opposition by voting for him.
“This time around the dynamics are different,” Yussif told host Kwabena Agyapong. “In the previous election, they used several messages to discredit the NPP, which led some voters to stay away from voting for us. They are now in government; they have made mistakes, and we will capitalize on that to ensure we defeat them in the by-election.”
He further noted that the NDC’s long tenure since 1992 has failed to improve the lives of residents.
“There is no significant development in the constituency. You cannot point to one development in the area. That is what we will tell the constituents, and I am sure they will prioritize development over anything else.”
Beyond infrastructure, Yussif highlighted a growing drug abuse crisis in the area. He emphasized that this issue must become a priority for the Member of Parliament and other local stakeholders.
When asked if he was intimidated by the political profile of his opponent, Baba Jamal, Yussif remained defiant, citing Jamal’s past electoral history in Akwatia.
“I am not afraid of anyone in elections. Baba Jamal contested several times and was elected to Parliament for a term and he failed miserably. He was defeated by Ama Sey. If he was indeed a politician worth his salt, he would have stayed in Akwatia and contested, but he left. I am not afraid of him. I will defeat him and retire him from active politics. Inshallah, Baba Ali will chase him out of Ayawaso East.”
Source: Rainbow Radio
