Baba Jamal Under OSP Probe, Recalled from High Commissioner Post, Faces Possible Ban from NDC Rerun

Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed’s political future has come under intense scrutiny following a series of developments stemming from allegations of vote buying during the just-ended National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency.

The controversy escalated after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) confirmed it has launched investigations into alleged vote buying, vote selling and related corrupt practices during the Ayawaso East primary held on Saturday, February 7, 2026. According to the OSP, the probe also extends to the sources of funding for the alleged inducements distributed during the election.

In a statement issued on Sunday, February 8, the OSP further disclosed that it has opened a separate investigation into the alleged assault of an officer authorised by the Office during the NDC primary. The statement alleged that Baba Jamal, one of the candidates in the contest, incited individuals to physically attack the officer while he was serving an investigative directive related to vote buying and vote selling.

The OSP emphasised that vote buying, vote selling, intimidation and acts of violence connected to elections constitute serious criminal offences under Ghanaian law, and assured the public of its commitment to enforcing electoral integrity.

Reports from the primary indicate that delegates allegedly received items including 32-inch television sets and free boiled eggs from Baba Jamal’s campaign team as voting commenced. Images and videos of the alleged inducements circulated widely on social media, triggering public outrage and deepening internal disquiet within the NDC.

Amid the growing controversy, President John Dramani Mahama has recalled Baba Jamal from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria. Although no official reason was stated, the recall is widely linked to the allegations arising from the Ayawaso East primary.

Within the NDC, pressure has mounted for decisive action. The Majority Caucus in Parliament, led by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, has formally called for the immediate annulment of the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary. In a statement issued on February 8, the caucus condemned the alleged vote-buying incidents, describing them as inconsistent with the party’s commitment to resetting Ghana’s politics and restoring integrity to the democratic process.

The caucus further demanded that any candidate found culpable of vote buying be barred from contesting in any rerun of the primary, a position that places Baba Jamal at risk of possible disqualification should the allegations be substantiated.

In response to the controversy, the NDC has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the allegations of inducement and vote buying. The committee is chaired by former Minister of Information, Kofi Totobi Quakyi, with Mahama Ayariga and legal practitioner Emefa Fugah serving as members. It is expected to submit its findings by Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

The party has stated that the investigation forms part of its broader commitment to internal democracy, transparency and ethical political conduct, and that the committee will recommend appropriate sanctions as well as long-term reforms to curb inducement in internal elections.

As investigations by both the NDC and the OSP continue, Baba Jamal’s apparent victory in the Ayawaso East primary remains clouded by uncertainty. With the possibility of annulment, criminal prosecution and a ban from any rerun, the once-celebrated win has quickly turned into a major test of the NDC’s resolve to enforce discipline and uphold integrity within its ranks.