Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament Mahama Ayariga has withdrawn from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) investigation committee probing alleged vote buying in the party’s Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries, citing the firm position taken by the Majority Caucus in Parliament.
In a post via his social media on Sunday, February 8, Mr Ayariga said it had become “untenable” for him to continue serving on the committee following the caucus’ call for the cancellation of the election.
“In view of the position taken by the Caucus of the NDC in Parliament regarding cancellation of the Ayawaso East primary, it has become untenable for me to serve on the Investigation Committee set up by the National Executive of the NDC,” Mr Ayariga stated.
“I have therefore notified the party that a suitable replacement should be appointed,” he added.
The NDC had earlier constituted a three-member committee to investigate allegations of widespread inducement and vote-buying during the primaries held last Saturday in the Ayawaso East constituency.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, on Saturday, February 7, the party said the committee had Tuesday, February 10 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,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament has formally called for the annulment of the primaries and the disqualification of candidates found culpable.
Signed by Mr Ayariga in his capacity as Majority Leader, the caucus’ statement said the leadership had resolved that “the primary of the NDC organised in the Ayawaso East Constituency be annulled immediately,” and that any candidate established to have engaged in vote-buying “be banned from participating in the subsequent primary after annulment of the election,” stressing the caucus’ commitment to “restoring integrity to our politics”.