Ayawaso East vote-buying allegations a blow to democracy – NPP

The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party, Richard Ahiagbah, has describe the circumstances surrounding the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries as a serious threat to Ghana’s democratic values, calling for collective action to protect the integrity of the electoral system.

The remarks come against the backdrop of heightened political tension following alleged incidents of vote buying during the NDC’s Ayawaso East parliamentary primary held on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

Reports indicate that some delegates were given 32-inch television sets and boiled eggs by the camp of Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed.

In response, the NDC has set up a three-member committee, chaired by former Minister of Information, Kofi Totobi Quakyi, to probe the allegations and propose appropriate sanctions and reforms.

President John Dramani Mahama has since recalled Baba Jamal from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, a move that has further heightened scrutiny over the conduct of the Ayawaso East primary.

Meanwhile, the NDC Majority Caucus has called for the annulment of the election.

Responding to the issue on the Channel one Newsroom on Sunday, Fabruary 8, Ahiagbah said the incident in Ayawaso East were too obvious to ignore, describing them as an affront to the law and a misrepresentation of democracy.

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According to him, such incidents destabilise citizen power and weaken the ability of voters to influence national development through the free choice of their representatives.

“What happened in Ayawaso East was glaring and egregious, right in our faces, beyond being unlawful, it distorts democracy and minimises the impact of citizen power in shaping the country’s development through elections,” he said.

Ahiagbah welcomed the involvement of the Office of the Special Prosecutor but sounded a note of cautious, referencing past investigations that failed to produce conclusive outcomes.

He stressed that while probes are necessary, public confidence ultimately hinges on whether such processes result in tangible outcomes.

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“The key issue for me is the NDC’s call for a probe and, at the same time, the Majority’s demand for annulment,” Ahiagbah said.

NA/VPO

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