The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso East constituency, Mr Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, has denied allegations of vote buying during the party’s recent parliamentary primaries, insisting that gifts do not influence electoral outcomes.
He maintained that he did not bribe any delegate to secure votes, noting that individuals who receive gifts ultimately retain the right to choose their preferred candidate.
Speaking to journalists yesterday in Accra after the declaration of results, Mr Mohammed, who was recalled from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria by President John Dramani Mahama with immediate effect, categorically rejected claims of electoral malpractice.
“I wish to state unequivocally that I, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, have not engaged in any vote buying or electoral malpractice,” he said, adding that gifts have no timeline and should not be misconstrued as inducements. He further stated his readiness to cooperate fully with any investigation into the matter.
Despite the circumstances surrounding his recall, Mr Jamal expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the opportunity to serve as High Commissioner to Nigeria, describing the appointment as an honour. He also thanked party members in the Ayawaso East constituency for the confidence reposed in him to lead the NDC in the upcoming parliamentary by-election scheduled for March 3, 2026, and reaffirmed his commitment to the party’s democratic principles.
Meanwhile, the Majority Caucus of the NDC in Parliament has called for the immediate cancellation of the party’s parliamentary primaries in Ayawaso East over the alleged vote-buying incidents.
In a press statement signed by the Majority Leader, Mr Mahama Ayariga, the caucus said its attention had been drawn to widely circulated allegations of vote buying during the recently concluded primary. The caucus strongly condemned the alleged conduct, describing it as inconsistent with the party’s agenda to reform Ghana’s political culture.
“The caucus wishes to strongly condemn these developments against the background of the agenda to reset the politics of this country. Any candidate who participated in the said primary and is found to have engaged in this unethical conduct should be banned from participating in the subsequent primary after annulment of the election,” the statement said.
The caucus noted that its position was aimed at safeguarding the credibility of the party’s internal electoral processes and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring integrity to national politics.
Separately, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced the commencement of investigations into alleged vote buying and selling during recent primaries organised by both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to the OSP, the investigations cover the NPP presidential primaries held on January 31, 2026, and the NDC parliamentary primaries in Ayawaso East conducted on February 7, 2026. The anti-corruption body disclosed that it carried out real-time investigations during the NDC primaries following reports of vote buying, intimidation, and other electoral malpractices.
The OSP further alleged that during the NDC parliamentary primaries, one of the candidates, Mr Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, abetted individuals who physically attacked an OSP officer carrying out investigative duties related to vote buying and selling.
“The law prohibits corrupt acts in relation to public elections. It is a serious offence to engage in vote buying, vote selling, intimidation, threats of violence, or acts of violence in connection with elections,” the OSP cautioned.
