The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has revealed that its investigative committee into allegations of vote-buying during the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary recommended the annulment of the results in principle, but practical constraints prevented the party from acting on the advice.
The party has therefore decided to retain Mohammed Baba Jamal as its candidate for the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, February 10, NDC General Secretary Fifi Kwetey explained the factors that made annulment impossible despite the committee’s ideal recommendation.
A three-member committee was set up by the party to probe claims of inducement following the primary held on Saturday, February 7. The committee submitted its report, which guided the Functional Executive Committee’s decision.
Mr. Kwetey outlined key obstacles, including severe time constraints. He noted that the Electoral Commission (EC) is set to close nominations for the by-election on Wednesday, February 11, leaving no realistic window to restart the entire primary process.
He further cited legal and constitutional barriers, stating that the NDC’s constitution lacks any provision for the annulment of parliamentary primaries in such circumstances.
“The committee’s report is that ideally, we should have annulment of the primary. However, the committee acknowledges that there are real obstacles that make it difficult for us to do that. The party’s constitution doesn’t have a provision for annulment of the election,” Mr. Kwetey said.
“We are time-bound because we need to present a candidate to the EC on February 11, and there are legal challenges that could be mounted by whoever won. In light of that, the party has taken the recommendations, and we have no option but to present Baba Jamal as our candidate,” he added.
The General Secretary also disclosed that inappropriate conduct was exhibited by all candidates involved in the primary, highlighting the systemic nature of the issue and the need for reforms.
To address such challenges moving forward, the NDC plans to expand the investigative committee by adding four more members, making it a seven-member body. The expanded committee will conduct a comprehensive review of the internal election processes and recommend measures to eliminate the “canker” of vote-buying and inducement in future primaries.
Mohammed Baba Jamal, Ghana’s former High Commissioner to Nigeria, won the February 7 primary and has consistently denied the allegations of vote-buying leveled against him.
The NDC has reaffirmed its support for him as the party’s parliamentary candidate as it prepares to contest the Ayawaso East by-election slated for March 3, 2026, by the Electoral Commission.