The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially announced that it will continue to support Mohammed Baba Jamal as its candidate for the forthcoming by-election in Ayawaso East, despite serious allegations of vote-buying during the party’s recent parliamentary primaries held on February 7, 2026.
During a press conference on February 10, 2026, NDC General Secretary Fifi Kwetey explained the party’s rationale for not annulling the primary results. A three-member committee was tasked with investigating the claims of inducement, and while they suggested that annulment would be ideal, several factors hindered this course of action.
Kwetey pointed out that time constraints played a significant role. With the Electoral Commission set to close nominations for the by-election on February 11, the party found itself under pressure to finalize its candidate. Additionally, Kwetey mentioned that the NDC’s internal constitution lacks provisions for annulling primary elections under these circumstances.
“While the committee has made recommendations for annulment, we are faced with practical difficulties,” Kwetey stated. “Legal challenges could arise from the winning candidate, and our constitution does not allow for this type of annulment. As such, we must proceed with Baba Jamal as our representative.”
In light of these challenges, Kwetey revealed plans to expand the investigative committee to include more members, aiming to strengthen the party’s internal election processes and address the misconduct identified during the primaries. “We will conduct a thorough review of our internal elections and add four more members to the committee, making it a total of seven. This will help us formulate strategies to combat these inappropriate practices in the future,” he said.
The decision to retain Baba Jamal comes as the NDC grapples with both the political implications of the allegations and the urgent timeline for the upcoming election. Kwetey’s comments underscore the party’s commitment to addressing internal issues while navigating the complexities of the electoral landscape.
