The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency officially commenced voting at the Nima Cluster of Schools, with five candidates vying to represent the party in the upcoming by-election on March 3, 2026. This by-election was necessitated by the untimely death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Naser Toure. The contest was deemed crucial given the NDC’s longstanding dominance in the constituency, making the winner a strong favourite for the general by-election.

Polling began at 9:00 am and concluded at 4:00 pm, with over 1,100 delegates expected to cast their votes. Security was handled by the Ghana Police Service, while the Electoral Commission supervised the polls. Initially, Hajia Amina Adam, the widow of the late MP, was widely tipped as a frontrunner, expected to benefit from significant sympathy votes, with Global Info Analytics showing her commanding 58% voter preference among surveyed delegates. Other contenders included Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed (Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria), Dr Yakubu Azindow (Political Scientist), Mohammed Ramne (Constituency Chairman), and Najib Mohammed Sani.

However, the primary was marred by widespread allegations of bribery and vote-buying. The NDC’s National Secretariat, in a statement issued on Saturday, February 7, 2026, vehemently condemned these incidents, describing them as an affront to the party’s values and principles. The party announced an immediate full-scale investigation into the alleged misconduct, warning that any candidate found culpable would face swift disciplinary action, including the possible cancellation of future elections where inducement is proven. The statement was signed by the party’s General Secretary, Hon. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, who reiterated the leadership’s commitment to upholding internal democratic processes and protecting the integrity of party elections.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, was specifically implicated in these allegations, with reports claiming his campaign team distributed 32-inch Nanco television sets and boiled eggs to delegates. Despite the controversy, Baba Jamal defended his actions, insisting that the gestures were not intended to influence voting decisions. He clarified that giving gifts was a long-standing personal practice of supporting people financially and materially, citing previous instances of offering GHS 2.5 million in free loans. He argued that the ethical issue lay not in receiving a gift, but in allowing that gift to influence one’s vote. He also maintained that providing basic hospitality to delegates gathered for an important exercise was reasonable and that his campaign primarily focused on engagement and dialogue.

Despite the controversies and ongoing investigations, the sorting and counting of ballots proceeded under tight supervision. The final provisional results saw Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed emerge victorious with 431 votes. Hajia Amina Adam secured 399 votes, Mohammed Ramne polled 88 votes, Dr Yakubu Azindow received 45 votes, and Najib Mohammed Sani garnered 1 vote.

Following his win, Baba Jamal expressed profound gratitude to Allah, his supporters, and party members, acknowledging the demanding nature of the process. He extended appreciation to the party leadership, the presidency, the media, and his campaign team for their tireless efforts. He also congratulated the other aspirants and called for party unity ahead of the March 3 by-election, emphasizing the need to maintain the NDC’s hold on the Ayawaso East seat.

In a significant development, President John Dramani Mahama ordered the immediate recall of Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed from his post as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria. This directive, issued on February 7, 2026, by the Presidency Communications Unit, was in direct response to the allegations of voter inducement during the primary. The President noted that while multiple candidates faced such accusations, Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among them, making his situation distinct. The Presidency stressed that the recall was not intended to prejudice ongoing internal party processes but was guided by the high standards of conduct expected of public officers and the imperative to preserve the integrity of public office. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has been instructed to initiate the necessary administrative and diplomatic procedures for the recall, which took immediate effect.