General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Fifi Fiavi Kwetey defended the party’s handling of vote buying allegations in the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary on Tuesday, as critics questioned why the NDC ultimately maintained Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed as candidate despite widespread concerns about inappropriate conduct.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, February 10, Kwetey stated that the investigative committee recommended nullification ideally but constitutional and time constraints made it impossible to implement that decision. He emphasized that the party took decisive action by establishing an investigative committee, which he contrasted with what he suggested was the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) failure to address similar allegations during its own flagbearer race.
The NDC General Secretary cited the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) announcement on Sunday, February 8, that it had launched investigations into alleged vote buying and corruption during both the NPP presidential primary held on January 31, 2026, and the NDC parliamentary primary in Ayawaso East on February 7, 2026.
Kwetey stated the party established a three member investigative committee led by veteran politician Kofi Totobi Quakyi to examine allegations, adding that the committee found evidence of inappropriate conduct involving virtually all candidates competing in the primary. He emphasized this represented a serious attempt to address concerns, though constitutional limitations and tight electoral timelines prevented nullification.
Activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor praised Kwetey’s handling of the matter on Monday, February 9, describing it as an example of true grit and the kind of leadership expected from a party’s chief administrator. In a Facebook post, Barker-Vormawor challenged the NPP to demonstrate similar resolve by sanctioning individuals who allegedly engaged in vote buying during its most recent presidential flagbearer elections.
Member of Parliament for Oforikrom Michael Kwasi Aidoo stated on Saturday, February 15, on Newsfile that the NDC raised concerns about similar conduct during the NPP’s flagbearer race but suggested the NPP did not have the conscience to take action as the NDC claimed it would. He stated that massive vote buying rocked the NPP presidential primary but the party failed to address it decisively.
Former NPP Constituency Chairman for Fomena Kwasi Nti Asamoah stated on Tuesday, February 10, on Angel FM that vote buying occurred during the NPP presidential primary, with delegates receiving payments ranging from 500 to 700 cedis depending on the candidate. He stated that all candidates paid but the richest won, adding that such practices have always been part of Ghana’s electoral process.
The OSP statement on February 8 indicated that investigations into the NPP presidential primary will examine claims of vote buying and the sources of funding for the alleged corrupt acts. The anti graft agency stated the probe will cover incidents from the January 31 primary that saw Dr Mahamudu Bawumia emerge victorious with 56.48 percent of votes.
Dr Bawumia secured 110,645 votes to become the NPP’s flagbearer for the 2028 presidential election, defeating Kennedy Agyapong who received 46,554 votes representing 23.76 percent, Dr Bryan Acheampong with 36,303 votes representing 18.53 percent, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum with 1,999 votes representing 1.02 percent, and Kwabena Agyapong with 402 votes representing 0.21 percent.
The NPP has not publicly announced any investigation into alleged vote buying during its presidential primary, despite the OSP probe and widespread reports from delegates and observers about cash and goods distribution during campaigning. NPP Communications Director Richard Ahiagbah described circumstances surrounding the NDC Ayawaso East primary as a serious threat to Ghana’s democratic values without addressing similar allegations within his own party.
Election Watch Ghana noted in a statement issued on Monday, February 9, that while Section 33 of the Representation of the People Law 1992 prohibits vote buying in general elections, the law currently does not explicitly cover internal party elections. This loophole creates an environment where candidates may feel emboldened to engage in such practices, the organization stated.
The NDC Ayawaso East primary saw Baba Jamal win with 431 votes, defeating Hajia Amina Adam who received 399 votes, constituency chairman Mohammed Ramneand with 88 votes, Dr Yakubu Azimdow with 45 votes and Najib Sani with one vote. Reports indicated that some candidates distributed 32 inch television sets, motorbikes, boiled eggs, ice chests, sanitary pads and cash to delegates.
President John Dramani Mahama ordered the immediate recall of Baba Jamal from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria on Sunday, February 8, following the vote buying allegations. The OSP charged Baba Jamal with corruption, assault and obstruction of OSP officers on Tuesday, February 10, after an officer conducting real time investigations was allegedly attacked by thugs during the primary.
The NDC announced plans to expand the investigative committee from three to seven members to conduct a comprehensive review of the entire process leading to internal elections. Kwetey stated the expanded committee will develop recommendations to deal with what he described as the inappropriate canker affecting party elections.
Policy analyst and Vice President of IMANI Africa Kofi Bentil argued on Friday, February 13, that poverty is the root cause of vote buying and that any intervention aimed at addressing it will either worsen the situation or merely dance around the core issue without resolving it. He explained that as long as ordinary Ghanaians struggle to make ends meet, they will look everywhere including money distributed by politicians as a source of livelihood.
The controversy has sparked renewed debate about monetization of internal party elections across Ghana’s political landscape. Civil society organizations have called on political parties to strengthen internal mechanisms for detecting and punishing electoral malpractice in primaries and internal elections.
The Electoral Commission scheduled the Ayawaso East by election for March 3, 2026, following the death of former Member of Parliament Naser Toure Mahama on January 4, 2026. Baba Jamal filed his nomination on Wednesday, February 11, to contest the seat despite ongoing OSP investigations.
