Fresh controversy has engulfed the National Democratic Congress parliamentary primary in Ayawaso East, as the party’s Majority Caucus in Parliament demands that the exercise be scrapped over allegations of vote-buying and inducement.
In a statement issued on February 8, 2026, the caucus said it had taken serious note of what it described as widely circulated reports of inducement that marred the just-concluded primary. The statement was signed by the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga.
“The caucus wishes to strongly condemn these developments against the background of the agenda to reset the politics of this country,” the statement said.
According to the caucus, extensive discussions involving both its core and extended leadership informed the decision to formally convey its position to the party’s Functional Executive Committee.
It is calling for the annulment of the Ayawaso East primary organised by the NDC, insisting that any aspirant found to have engaged in unethical conduct during the process should be disqualified from participating in any rerun that may follow.
The caucus said its stance is rooted in the need to protect the integrity of Ghana’s democratic processes and to uphold internal party standards.
The appeal follows Saturday’s primary, which saw Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed emerge winner with 431 votes, narrowly edging out Hajia Amina Adam, who secured 399 votes.
During the voting, reports surfaced alleging that members of Mr Baba Jamal’s campaign team distributed 32-inch television sets and boiled eggs to delegates. The claims triggered backlash from civil society organisations and party stakeholders.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has since intervened. In a public notice released on Sunday, the OSP announced that it had commenced real-time investigations into the Ayawaso East primary. The probe, it said, covers alleged vote-buying, vote-selling and the sources of funds linked to the suspected activities.
The OSP further revealed that it has opened a separate investigation into the alleged assault of one of its officers during the primary. According to the office, the officer was reportedly attacked by individuals believed to have acted with the backing of Mr Baba Jamal.
The disputed primary was held to select the NDC’s candidate for the Ayawaso East by-election scheduled for March 3, 2026. The by-election was necessitated by the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Naser Toure, on January 4, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission has opened nominations from February 9 to February 11, 2026. It remains uncertain whether the party’s Functional Executive Committee will respond to the Majority Caucus’s demand before the nomination period closes.
