NDC condemns voter inducement in Ayawaso East parliamentary primary

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned alleged voter inducement during its Ayawaso East parliamentary primary and announced an immediate investigation into reported breaches.

In a statement dated February 7, 2026, and signed by General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the party said its national executives had been alerted to “widespread incidents of inducement and vote buying allegedly perpetuated by some aspirants” during the exercise.

“The party vehemently condemns these actions in no uncertain terms as they represent an affront to the values and principles of the party and the reset agenda the party is championing,” the statement said.

The NDC announced that it had “immediately instituted a full-scale investigation into this matter” and warned that it would “take swift action against any candidate found culpable.”

It further cautioned that tougher measures could be applied in future primaries if similar incidents arise.

“More drastic sanctions would be taken including possibly cancelling elections, when such incidents come to the attention of the party,” the statement noted.

The Ayawaso East primary, conducted to select a parliamentary candidate following the death of sitting MP Naser Toure Mahama last month, produced a closely watched contest.

Final provisional results showed Baba Jamal polling 431 votes, followed by Hajia Amina Adam with 399 votes. Mohammed Ramne secured 88 votes, Dr Yakubu Azimdow polled 45, while Najib Sani obtained one vote.

Hajia Amina Adam, the widow of the late MP, entered the race with significant public attention and had been tipped by pollsters, including Mussa Dankwah’s Global InfoAnalytics, as the favourite ahead of voting.

However, the process was overshadowed by reports that, by the afternoon of polling day, the Baba Jamal campaign was allegedly distributing 32-inch television sets to delegates, triggering public debate and the party’s intervention.

Baba Jamal, Ghana’s Ambassador to Nigeria, addressed the accusations during an engagement with the media, insisting that his actions did not amount to wrongdoing.

He argued that his record of support in the constituency should not be misconstrued.

The NDC’s probe is expected to examine all reported incidents surrounding the primary as the party seeks to enforce internal discipline and protect the integrity of its elections.