Monday, 09 February

NDC replaces Ayariga with Inusah Fuseini on committee probing Ayawaso East primary vote-buying allegations

Politics
Inussah Fuseini

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has appointed former Member of Parliament and former Minister, Inusah Fuseini, to replace Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga on the three-member committee investigating allegations of vote-buying and inducement during the party’s Ayawaso East parliamentary primary

The announcement was made by the NDC General Secretary, Fifi Fiave Kwetey, in a statement shared on social media, following Mr. Ayariga’s decision to step down from the committee.

According to the party, Ayariga’s continued involvement had become “untenable” after the Majority Caucus in Parliament publicly called for the cancellation of the election.

The committee, chaired by veteran politician Kofi Totobi Quakyi, was initially made up of Ayariga and legal practitioner Emefa Fugah.

It has been tasked with investigating claims of widespread inducement and vote-buying during the primary held last Saturday and recommending appropriate sanctions or reforms.

The panel has a deadline of Tuesday, February 10, 2026, to submit its findings.

“In line with the Party’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and ethical political conduct, the Committee will investigate the allegations and make appropriate recommendations, including sanctions where necessary,” Kwetey said in the statement.

The investigation follows reports that one of the contenders, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, allegedly distributed items such as 32-inch television sets and boiled eggs to delegates during the voting process.

Party insiders and delegates claimed the items were seen as inducements that may have influenced the outcome of the contest, which he won.

Separately, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is probing allegations of vote-buying in both the New Patriotic Party’s presidential primary and the NDC’s Ayawaso East contest.

 

Fuseini’s appointment is expected to ensure continuity in the committee’s work and reinforce the party’s resolve to protect the integrity of its internal electoral processes.

The panel is also expected to propose long-term reforms aimed at curbing inducement and vote-buying in future party elections.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah