By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Ayawaso Council of Zongo Chiefs has cautioned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against annulling the February 7 parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency, warning that such a decision could trigger unrest in the area.
The warning follows calls by the NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament for the cancellation of the primary, which was won by former Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, amid allegations of vote-buying.
Addressing journalists, the chiefs urged the party’s leadership to respect the will of delegates and uphold the election results, insisting that Baba Jamal was duly elected.
Vice Chairman of the Ayawaso Council of Zongo Chiefs, Sarki Tanko Amadu, said the constituency remains united and cautioned against actions that could destabilise the area.
“Nima is currently united, so if they say they are going to cancel the election, do they know what will happen? Let us keep the result as it is. There is no election without bribery. Only God knows who is clean. If another person had won, we, the chiefs, would have said the same,” he said.
The comments come amid heightened political tension following reports of vote-buying during the NDC Ayawaso East primary. Delegates were allegedly 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 investigate the allegations and recommend appropriate sanctions and reforms.
President John Dramani Mahama has also recalled Baba Jamal from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, further intensifying scrutiny surrounding the conduct of the primary. The NDC Majority Caucus has additionally called for the annulment of the election.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has launched investigations into alleged vote-buying and related corrupt practices during both the NPP presidential primary and the NDC parliamentary primary in Ayawaso East.
The OSP has further alleged that Baba Jamal incited individuals to physically attack one of its officers who attempted to serve an investigative directive linked to the vote-buying allegations.
The Ayawaso East primary has since become a major political flashpoint, with the party leadership expected to take a final decision after the investigations are concluded.
