The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirmed Baba Jamal as its parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso East, ruling out any move to cancel the outcome of last Saturday’s internal election.
The decision was announced by the party’s General Secretary, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, after the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) reviewed findings from a three-member investigative panel set up to examine allegations of vote-buying during the primary. According to him, the party considered the limited time available, the possibility of legal disputes if the results were overturned, and the absence of specific constitutional guidance on handling such disputes before settling on maintaining the declared winner.
Kwetey also revealed that the committee’s report indicated that all contestants admitted to conduct deemed inappropriate. He stressed that disciplinary action would be taken against the candidates involved.
Even as the party stands by the election results, it has opted to strengthen its probe into the allegations. The original three-member investigative body will now be expanded to seven members to undertake a broader and more detailed inquiry.
The controversy surrounding the primary has also drawn the attention of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which earlier invited Baba Jamal for questioning. He was later granted self-recognizance bail after spending several hours being interrogated over claims of vote-buying linked to the internal contest.
Speaking to Graphic Online, his lawyer, Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu, said his client was additionally questioned over an alleged assault involving an OSP officer who had delivered an invitation letter to the parliamentary aspirant. Counsel maintained that his client was not aware that items were being distributed in his name adding, “If he was aware and being a lawyer, he would have told the people the position of the law”.
The investigative process began after widespread claims of inducement and vote-buying emerged during the Ayawaso East primary held last weekend. In response, the party constituted a fact-finding committee to examine the allegations.
The panel, led by former Minister of Information Kofi Totobi Quakyi, included former Tamale Central Member of Parliament Alhaji Inusah Fuseini and legal practitioner Emefa Fugah. Their work involved examining the complaints and submitting recommendations, including proposed sanctions, to the FEC, which is chaired by National Chairman Asiedu Nketia.
Beyond addressing the immediate allegations, the committee was also tasked with proposing long-term reforms aimed at eliminating inducement and vote-buying from the party’s internal elections.
The developments follow an earlier move by President Mahama to recall Baba Jamal from his role as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria after the vote-buying claims surfaced.
The NDC General Secretary has reiterated that any disciplinary measures arising from the investigations will be applied fairly to all candidates involved.
