Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso East, has denied allegations of vote buying during the February 7 NDC primary, which reportedly led to his recall as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria by President John Dramani Mahama.
In a press release, Baba Jamal said his attention had been drawn to a communiqué signed by the Presidential Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communication announcing his recall, based on claims of inducement during the just-ended Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries.
The statement also referenced an earlier release by the NDC General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, which condemned the allegations and announced the party’s decision to investigate the reported vote-buying claims.
“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,” he stated.
Baba Jamal expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the opportunity to serve Ghana as High Commissioner to Nigeria and thanked delegates in Ayawaso East for endorsing him to lead the party into the March 3, 2026, parliamentary by-election.
His response follows reports that he allegedly distributed items including 32-inch television sets and boiled eggs to delegates during the voting process. These actions, according to party insiders, some delegates and members of the public, were widely perceived as inducement and believed to have influenced voting patterns at the primaries.
In response to the controversy, the NDC has constituted a three-member committee chaired by Kofi Totobi Quakyi, with Mahama Ayariga and lawyer Emefa Fugah as members, to investigate reports of widespread inducement and vote buying during the primaries. The committee is expected to submit its report on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
Meanwhile, the NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament has called for the immediate cancellation of the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary and the disqualification of any candidates found to have engaged in vote buying.
