President of policy think tank IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to annul the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary held on Saturday, February 7, following allegations of vote-buying and breaches of the party’s electoral code.
In a Facebook post reacting to the conduct of the primary, Mr Cudjoe urged the party’s leadership to take firm disciplinary action against individuals found to have violated internal rules governing party elections.
Mr Cudjoe’s intervention follows reports of widespread vote-buying and the distribution of goodies to delegates.
In a scathing assessment of the day’s events, the IMANI boss urged the NDC to demonstrate a higher moral standard than its political rivals.
“The NDC should annul the Ayawaso East elections and punish culprits who violated the electoral code. The results were influenced by naked bribery. NDC, be different!” Mr Cudjoe stated in a Facebook post.
President Mahama strikes back: Baba Jamal recalled from Nigeria
In a swift move to preserve the government’s commitment to transparency, President John Dramani Mahama has officially recalled Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, who is at the centre of the controversy.
Baba Jamal won the primary with 431 votes to secure 45%, with his closest contender, Hajia Amina Adam, securing 399 votes (41%) in a contest marred by vote-buying allegations.
According to the Presidency, while allegations of vote-buying were made against multiple contestants, Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among those who participated in the primary, making his situation distinct.
“The President noted that, while the allegations of vote-buying were made against multiple candidates who contested the primaries, Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among them,” the statement said.
President Mahama also acknowledged a public statement by the NDC’s General Secretary released earlier, indicating that the party had commenced its own internal investigations into the allegations arising from the polls.
Candidate Baba Jamal has allegedly been involved in vote-buying, with reports claiming he distributed 32-inch Nanco television sets to delegates ahead of the NDC Ayawaso primaries. pic.twitter.com/5SdGAcPSo2
— THE STATE NEWS (@THESTATENEWSS) February 7, 2026
The campaign team of Baba Jamal had offered 32-inch televisions to delegates who participated in the primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency.
The team also distributed boiled eggs to delegates, a move that triggered brief jostling among some voters who attempted to access the food items.
Baba Jamal defends “benevolence” amidst corruption claims
Speaking to the media during the elections, Baba Jamal confirmed the distribution of the goodies but insisted that the gesture was not intended to influence voting decisions.
“So if you give television sets to people, what is wrong with it when you give things to people?” he asked. “Is this the first time I am giving things to people?”
He explained that his actions were consistent with his long-standing personal practice of supporting people financially and materially, stressing that generosity had always been part of his public life.
“Those of you who know me know that every Christmas, every occasion, every instance, I have put down GHS 2.5 million in free loans to give free loans to people,” he said. “So if today people are coming to vote and we are giving them something—what is wrong with that?”
Baba Jamal argued that the ethical issue was not the act of giving itself, but whether such gifts were allowed to influence voters’ choices.
“If somebody gives you a gift, you can take it,” he stated. “But allowing that gift to influence your vote is what is wrong. It is not the gift; it is allowing that gift to influence your vote that makes it wrong.”
He further justified the gesture as part of basic hospitality, noting that it would be unreasonable to gather delegates for an important political exercise without providing some form of support.
“You think you can bring all these people together and not give them water?” he asked. “It is not the item; it is the intention.”
The aspirant maintained that his campaign had focused primarily on engagement and dialogue rather than inducements, adding that he had interacted extensively with party members and delegates ahead of the primary.
“I don’t think that I have gone wrong,” he said. “I have spoken to them and met people. That is why I am still saying that I hope and trust that they will still reason with me and come along with me.”
About the Author
