President Mahama recalls Baba Jamal from Nigeria as High Commissioner over vote buying allegations in Ayawaso East NDC primary

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate recall of Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed from his post as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria following allegations of voter inducement during the National Democratic Congress Ayawaso East parliamentary primary on Saturday.

The decision was announced in a statement issued by the Presidency on Saturday night [February, 7, 2026].

It follows controversy surrounding the Ayawaso East Constituency primary held on Saturday in which Mr Baba Jamal contested and emerged winner.

Baba Jamal wins Ayawaso East NDC parliamentary primary

Reports suggested voters were induced with money and television sets.

In various media interviews, some voters admitted receiving television sets from a contestant.

On his part Baba Jamal in a media interview he saw nothing wrong with giving out gifts and said this is not the first time he was giving out gifts. And that on numerous occasions, he has given out gifts and therefore, if he gave out gifts on Saturday, there was nothing wrong with that.

According to the Presidency, Baba Jamal's recall was prompted by allegations that some delegates were induced during the party’s internal election.

The statement, signed Spokesperson for the Presidency, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu said although allegations were made against several aspirants, Mr Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among those involved.

“The President noted that, while the allegations of vote buying were made against multiple candidates who contested the primary, Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among them,” the statement said.

The recall takes immediate effect, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs has been instructed to initiate the required administrative and diplomatic steps to carry out the directive.

The controversy arose after footage circulated on social media showing delegates allegedly receiving 32 inch television sets said to have been distributed by Mr Baba Jamal’s campaign team.

Speaking on Channel One TV on the same day, Mr Baba Jamal defended the distribution of the items, describing them as gifts rather than inducements.

“So if you give television sets to people, what is wrong, when you give things to people? This is the first time I am giving things to people,” he said.

He added, “If someone gives you a gift, you can accept it. What is wrong is allowing that gift to influence your vote.”

Other reports suggested boiled eggs were also distributed to delegates during the primary.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in a astatment through the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has also condemned the alleged acts.

“The party vehemently condemns these actions in no uncertain terms as they represent an affront to the values and principles of the party and the reset agenda the party is championing,” the statement said.

The party announced that it had commenced investigations into the allegations and cautioned that sanctions would be applied where candidates were found culpable.

It also warned that future incidents of inducement could lead to tougher measures, including the cancellation of elections where evidence supports such claims.

Despite the controversy, the primary went ahead under tight security. Mr Baba Jamal won with 431 votes, defeating Hajia Amina Adam, who polled 399 votes.

Mohammed Ramne secured 88 votes, Dr Yakubu Azimdow obtained 45 votes, while Najib Sani received one vote, according to provisional figures published by GhanaWeb and other media organisations.

The Electoral Commission has fixed March 3, 2025 for the Ayawaso East by-election.

The by-election follows the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Naser Toure.