Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate who emerged victorious in the just-concluded Ayawaso East constituency primaries, has denied allegations of vote-buying that have triggered investigations by both his party and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
In a press release issued on Sunday, February 8, 2026, Baba Jamal described the claims as baseless and reaffirmed his commitment to cooperate fully with any probe.
“My attention has been drawn to a communiqué signed by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communication recalling me as High Commissioner to Nigeria, based on an allegation of vote-buying in the just ended parliamentary primaries in the East Ayawaso Constituency,” the statement read.
“I wish to state categorically that, I, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed have not engaged in any vote buying or election malpractices and I pledge to avail myself to assist the party in its investigation into the subject matter anytime,” the former High Commissioner to Nigeria added.
The controversy came about shortly after the February 7, 2026 NDC parliamentary primary in Ayawaso East, which was held to select a candidate ahead of the March 3, 2026 by-election following the demise of the constituency’s sitting MP.
Reports from polling stations indicated that some delegates received assorted items including 32-inch television sets, food items, cash envelopes and even boiled eggs from various campaign teams, including that of Baba Jamal.
The distributions led to accusations of inducement and prompted swift action from party leadership.
NDC General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey had earlier issued a statement condemning the alleged malpractice and calling for a thorough investigation.
The party subsequently set up a three-member committee chaired by former Information Minister Kofi Totobi Quakyi, with Mahama Ayariga and lawyer Emefa Fugah as members, to probe the claims.
Separately, the Office of the Special Prosecutor announced it had opened an investigation into vote-buying allegations surrounding the Ayawaso East primaries, as well as similar complaints from other recent internal party contests.
The OSP also accused Baba Jamal of instigating an assault on one of its investigators who attempted to serve him with an investigative notice on primary day.
Despite the mounting pressure, Baba Jamal used the opportunity to express gratitude to President Mahama for the honour of serving as Ghana’s envoy to Nigeria and to thank party delegates in Ayawaso East for entrusting him with the ticket.
“I sincerely thank the NDC in the Ayawaso East for the confidence reposed in me to lead them into the main bye-elections scheduled for March 3, 2026,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Fifi Kwetey has issued another statement announcing the replacement of Mahama Ayariga on the party’s investigative committee after the Majority in Parliament issued a statement calling for the annulment of the election results and disqualification of all culpable candidates.
Mahama Ayariga will be replaced by former MP and Minister Inusah Fuseini with the committee expected to submit it’s findings and recommendations by Tuesday February 10, 2026.