Mohammed Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria and a former Member of Parliament, has emerged winner of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency, held on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
Baba Jamal secured 431 votes, narrowly defeating his closest contender, Hajia Amina Adam, who polled 399 votes. Other aspirants trailed behind in what was described by party officials as a keenly contested primary ahead of the upcoming by-election.
However, the outcome of the primary has been overshadowed by widespread allegations of vote buying and inducement levelled by some aspirants and party members. The allegations include claims that delegates were offered cash, household items and other incentives in exchange for votes.
The NDC National Secretariat has publicly condemned the alleged practices, describing them as inconsistent with the party’s democratic values. In response, the party has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the claims and make recommendations. The committee is expected to examine evidence presented by aggrieved aspirants, delegates and other stakeholders involved in the process.
Calls have since mounted from senior party figures, civil society actors and political commentators for the suspension or annulment of the primary results if the allegations are substantiated. Some have also urged the party to impose sanctions on any aspirant found culpable to deter future misconduct in internal elections.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor has reportedly opened a separate probe into alleged vote buying and related incidents linked to the primary. This has further intensified scrutiny of the process and raised broader concerns about monetisation of internal party elections in Ghana.
Baba Jamal has denied any wrongdoing, insisting he did not engage in vote buying or inducement. He has stated that he is willing to cooperate fully with both the party’s internal investigation and any lawful external inquiry.
In a related development, Baba Jamal has been recalled from his diplomatic post as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, pending the outcome of investigations. Authorities have not stated whether the recall is temporary or permanent.
The Ayawaso East seat became vacant following the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, prompting the NDC to organise the primary ahead of a scheduled by-election.
The party’s final decision on the primary results is expected after the investigative committee submits its report.
