Baba Jamal denies vote-buying allegations in Ayawaso East parliamentary primary

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate-elect for Ayawaso East, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, has denied allegations suggesting that he engaged in vote buying during the party’s just-ended parliamentary primary in the constituency.

In a statement issued on Sunday, February 8, Baba Jamal acknowledged the government’s decision to recall him from his role as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria due to the allegations, Baba Jamal maintained his innocence but expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the opportunity to serve as High Commissioner.

He further pointed to a statement by the NDC General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, condemning the allegations and calling for an investigation, stating that he “has not engaged in any vote buying or election malpractices,” and pledged to make himself available to assist with any party investigation into the matter.

Over the weekend, the Presidency announced that President John Dramani Mahama had directed the immediate recall of Baba Jamal from his posting in Abuja, citing allegations of voter inducement during the parliamentary primary in Ayawaso East on Saturday, February 7.

The Presidency’s statement noted that allegations were made against multiple candidates, however Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among those accused, prompting what the Presidency described as a need to “act decisively” to protect the integrity of public office.

Multiple sources indicate that claims around the primary included alleged distribution of items such as 32-inch television sets and food to delegates during the voting on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Majority Caucus in Parliament has urged the party to nullify the primary, arguing that the allegations, if established, undermine the NDC’s “reset” agenda and the integrity of its internal democratic processes.

The caucus also called for any aspirant found culpable to be barred from participating in any fresh primary conducted after a nullification.

In a similar vein, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) said it had begun investigations into allegations of vote buying, vote selling, and the sources of funding connected to alleged corrupt acts during both the NDC Ayawaso East primary and the NPP’s January 31 Presidential primary.