NDC finally backs Baba Jamal

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has resolved to present Baba Jamal as its Ayawaso East candidate after a probe rejected calls to annul the disputed primary.

General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey announced the decision after a three-member committee submitted its report on alleged inducement and vote-buying during the February 7 primary.

Addressing journalists, Mr Kwetey disclosed that the committee found widespread inappropriate conduct among aspirants.

“Inappropriate conduct was exhibited by almost all the candidates,” he said. “Even though we cannot establish because the candidates were clear that what they did was in line of motivating the delegates, we believe that that was inappropriate.”

He explained that although concerns were raised about the integrity of the process, the committee determined that annulment was not feasible under the circumstances.

“In light of that, the Committee’s report was that ideally there should have been an annulment of the primaries. However, the committee acknowledged that there are real obstacles that make it difficult to do that,” he stated.

Mr Kwetey cited two main challenges: “One, the party’s constitution doesn’t have a provision for annulment for elections. Two, we are time bound because we need to be presenting a candidate tomorrow to the Electoral Commission.”

He therefore announced the party’s final position.

“The party has taken the recommendation that given the time and legal challenges, we have no option than to present Baba Jamal who actually won according to the EC’s declaration,” he said.

The committee, chaired by former Information Minister Kofi Totobi Quakyi, with Inusah Fuseini and private legal practitioner Emefa Fugah as members, had been tasked to investigate “the reported widespread inducement and vote-buying” and recommend sanctions where necessary.

The probe followed the party’s earlier condemnation of alleged inducement, describing it as “an affront to the values and principles of the party.”

Provisional results from the primary showed Baba Jamal polling 431 votes, narrowly defeating Hajia Amina Adam, who secured 399 votes.

The contest was organised to select a parliamentary candidate following the death of sitting MP Naser Toure Mahama.