The Functional Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cleared Baba Jamal to contest the March 3 Ayawaso East by-election on the party’s ticket, despite allegations of vote-buying that followed the party’s parliamentary primary.
The decision was announced by the NDC’s General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, on February 10, after the committee received and reviewed a report from a three-member investigative team set up to probe claims of inducement during the primary held on February 7.
Addressing journalists after receiving the report, Mr Kwetey explained that the party was constrained by its own constitutional provisions, noting that, “The Committee could not annul the primary because the NDC Constitution contains no provision allowing annulment of primaries.”
He further indicated that the urgency surrounding the Electoral Commission’s nomination timeline played a decisive role in the party’s choice to go ahead with Baba Jamal as its candidate.
“The decision to present Baba Jamal was influenced by time constraints, as the party must submit a candidate for the impending by-election,” NDC’s General Secretary said.
According to the Electoral Commission, nominations for the Ayawaso East by-election are being received at the Commission’s municipal office from Monday, February 9, 2026, to Wednesday, February 11, 2026, between 9 am and 12 pm, and 2 pm to 5 pm each day.
Beyond clearing Baba Jamal, Mr Kwetey disclosed that the committee made broader recommendations aimed at strengthening discipline within the party. He revealed that the committee had proposed sanctions against some government appointees who took part in the primary and also called for an expansion of the investigative body.
“The Committee is to be expanded to seven members to comprehensively address issues of inappropriate conduct during internal elections.”
Earlier on February 10, a member of the investigative committee, Inusah Fuseini, declined to comment on the contents of the report after it was submitted to party leadership, insisting that communication on the findings rests solely with the NDC.
“We had just submitted the report to the party. No, we can’t share details. Any report that we have produced is the property of the Functional Executive Committee. The party will communicate to the public what is contained in the report,” he stated.
All five candidates who contested the primary were invited and questioned during the investigation into the vote-buying allegations.
Meanwhile, sources at the Office of the Special Prosecutor have indicates that Baba Jamal, who is at the centre of the inducement claims, has been invited by the OSP for questioning.
The NDC constituted the three-member committee following accusations that some aspirants sought to influence delegates with money, television sets and other items during the February 7 primary. Although Baba Jamal emerged winner of the contest, the Majority Caucus in Parliament has called for the results to be annulled, arguing that such practices undermine the party’s democratic principles.
However, constituency executives in Ayawaso East have rejected calls for an annulment, maintaining that the primary outcome should stand.
