Member of Parliament for Oforikrom Michael Kwasi Aidoo stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had the authority to cancel the Ayawaso East primary and consequently punish Baba Jamal but chose not to exercise that power, speaking on Newsfile on Saturday.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) legislator said that if the party had set up a commission of inquiry and the commission found people guilty, the party could have cancelled it and appointed someone. He emphasized that the party possessed constitutional mechanisms to take decisive action beyond what it ultimately chose to do.
The Ayawaso East internal election held on Saturday, February 7, which saw Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed declared winner, was marred by widespread allegations of vote buying. Members of the NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament called for annulment, however after investigations, the party endorsed Jamal’s victory.
Aidoo questioned the consistency of political actors, stating that supporters throw support behind one candidate, then turn around and sign that the election should be nullified when their candidate does not win. He suggested that some individuals who participated actively in the primary process later called for its cancellation after their preferred candidate lost.
The Oforikrom MP added that because the Electoral Commission (EC) supervised the process, any cancellation could have led to legal challenges. He acknowledged that the EC’s involvement created additional complications for party leadership considering annulment, though he maintained these obstacles were not insurmountable.
Still, Aidoo insisted the party had tools available if it had chosen to act decisively. He stated that internal party mechanisms existed that would have allowed the NDC to cancel the election and select an alternative candidate through appointment or a fresh primary if leadership had determined such action was necessary.
NDC General Secretary Fifi Kwetey announced on Tuesday, February 10, that the three member investigative committee recommended ideally that the primary should be annulled. However, the committee acknowledged real obstacles that made it difficult to implement the annulment, citing constitutional and time constraints as primary factors.
Kwetey stated that the party could not delay beyond a certain date without jeopardizing its ability to present a candidate for the by election. He explained that the investigative process, potential legal challenges and the need to conduct a fresh primary would have extended beyond deadlines required for filing nominations with the Electoral Commission.
The General Secretary emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly but reflected practical realities facing the party. He stated the committee’s report acknowledged serious concerns about the conduct of the primary while recognizing constraints that prevented nullification.
The three member committee was led by veteran politician Kofi Totobi Quakyi, former Minister of Information, and submitted its report on Monday, February 10, following investigations into allegations that television sets, boiled eggs, gari, sanitary pads, motorbikes and cash were distributed to delegates during the voting process.
Baba Jamal filed his nomination with the Electoral Commission on Wednesday, February 11, to contest the Ayawaso East by election scheduled for March 3, 2026. The seat became vacant following the death of former MP Naser Toure Mahama on January 4, 2026.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) released Baba Jamal on self recognizance bail on Tuesday, February 10, after charging him with corruption, assault and obstruction of OSP officers. The charges stem from investigations into alleged vote buying incidents during the February 7 primary.
The OSP revealed in a public notice issued on Saturday, February 8, that its officer conducting real time investigations into alleged vote buying and selling in Ayawaso East Constituency was attacked by thugs acting on instructions of Baba Jamal during the primary. The officer was serving an investigative directive on the candidate when the incident occurred.
Baba Jamal has vehemently denied allegations of vote buying, insisting he did not engage in any form of inducement during the primary. His lawyers accompanied him to the OSP headquarters for questioning on Tuesday, February 10.
President John Dramani Mahama recalled Baba Jamal from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria following the allegations. The recall occurred on Sunday, February 8, one day after the primary, signaling presidential concern about the vote buying reports.
The NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament issued a statement on Sunday, February 8, signed by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, condemning the alleged acts as contrary to the party’s stated agenda to reset Ghana’s politics and restore integrity to the democratic process. The caucus demanded immediate cancellation of the primary and disqualification of any candidate found to have engaged in vote buying.
Former Ghanaian Ambassador to the Netherlands Dr Tony Aidoo urged the NDC to cancel the Ayawaso East Constituency parliamentary primary and bar those involved from holding public office. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, February 9, Dr Aidoo stated the controversy reflects deeper erosion of internal party democracy that must be addressed decisively.
The Council of Zongo Chiefs in Ayawaso East Constituency warned NDC leadership against annulling the primaries, stating such a move could trigger tension within the constituency. Vice Chairman of the Council Sarki Tanko Amadu questioned what would happen if the party cancelled the election given that Nima was already united.
The controversy sparked intense debate within the NDC about internal democracy and vote buying practices. Some party members including MPs called for decisive action to demonstrate zero tolerance for electoral malpractice, while others emphasized constitutional processes and electoral timelines that constrained available options.
Kwetey announced that the party plans to expand the investigative committee by adding four more members, making it a seven member body, to conduct a comprehensive review of the entire process leading to internal elections. He stated the expanded committee will develop recommendations to deal with what he described as the inappropriate canker affecting party elections.
The Ayawaso East by election represents a test for both major parties on issues of internal democracy and vote buying. Civil society organizations have called on political parties to strengthen internal mechanisms for detecting and punishing electoral malpractice in primaries and internal elections.
