Mustapha Gbande, Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will take whatever decision is necessary to restore the credibility of its Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries, including the possible annulment of the results, if investigations prove wrongdoing.
Speaking on the AM Show, Mr Gbande stressed that the party’s leadership will base its final decision on facts and surrounding circumstances, and not on petitions or external pressure.
“We are going to make a decision considering the surrounding circumstances, the actions that took place and the credibility of the entire process,” he said. “We are not influenced by whatever suggestive petitions any person would have written.”
He added that the party will not allow any individual to undermine its integrity.
“No single individual in the party will be allowed to hold the party to ransom. If it requires that the party takes any position to restore credibility, same will be done,” Mr Gbande stated.
According to him, the ongoing probe is not focused solely on whether the results will be annulled or upheld, but on addressing the root of the controversy.
“It is not just about nullifying or not nullifying results. We are going to get to the bottom of this matter and nip it in the bud once and for all,” he noted.
The comments come in the wake of widespread controversy surrounding the NDC’s Ayawaso East primaries, following allegations that Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed distributed items, including 32-inch television sets and boiled eggs, to delegates on voting day.
Some party insiders and delegates have claimed the items were perceived as inducements and may have influenced voting patterns, contributing to his victory in the contest.
Supporters of Mr Baba Jamal, however, have dismissed the claims, insisting that the process was free and fair.
The issue has drawn national attention, with the Office of the Special Prosecutor announcing investigations into similar vote-buying allegations involving both the opposition NDC and the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In response to the controversy, the NDC leadership has constituted a three-member committee to probe the allegations in Ayawaso East and propose reforms to curb inducement in future internal elections.
The committee is expected to submit its report by February 10, 2026.
For Mr Gbande, the priority remains safeguarding the party’s credibility.
“Our focus is to protect the integrity of our processes and strengthen internal discipline,” he said, assuring party members and the public of a transparent and fair outcome.
Source: Myjoyonline
