Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has withdrawn from the investigative committee established by the National Executive of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to examine allegations of inducement and vote buying during the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary.
In a post on X, Mr Ayariga explained that his decision was influenced by the stance of the NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament, which has called for the annulment of the primary and the disqualification of any candidates found culpable of unethical conduct.
He noted that he has formally informed the party leadership and requested the appointment of a replacement to serve on the committee.
The Ayawaso East NDC parliamentary primary, conducted on February 7, 2026, has been clouded by allegations that some delegates were offered items, including television sets and boiled eggs, in exchange for their votes.
In response to the controversy, the NDC constituted a three-member committee to investigate the claims. The committee is chaired by former Information Minister, Kofi Totobi Quakyi, with Mahama Ayariga and lawyer Emefa Fugah serving as members. The committee is expected to submit its findings by February 10, 2026.
The NDC has stated that the investigation underscores its commitment to transparency, internal democracy, and ethical political practices, and is expected to recommend sanctions as well as reforms to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
