Collins Adomako-Mensah, Member of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre North Constituency, has described the Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election as a “pure power play” within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), during an appearance on Metro TV’s morning show Good Morning Ghana. His remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of the party’s handling of allegations of vote buying and the subsequent recall of candidate Baba Jamal from his public office.
Speaking on Metro TV current affairs show, Good Morning Ghana, Adomako-Mensah argued that the controversy surrounding the by-election was less about corruption or misconduct and more about political manoeuvring within the NDC. “What happened at Ayawaso is not a complicated matter. It is a pure power play, simpliciter,” he stated, noting that many in Parliament were aware of the dynamics at play. He claimed the election result, in which Baba Jamal defeated the party’s establishment candidate, had triggered discontent among certain party leaders, predicting that the contest was a precursor to tensions leading into the party’s presidential primaries.
The MP questioned the NDC leadership’s consistency, pointing to perceived contradictions in the party’s response. He noted that while Baba Jamal was recalled due to his status as a public official amid unproven allegations of vote buying, other candidates who held appointments on multiple public boards received no similar treatment. “The president did not issue any statement to recall the other candidate from all the public boards. He zoomed in on one and said he’s recalling that person. Too hypocritical,” Adomako-Mensah argued.
Highlighting previous cases, he referenced the Lapaz and Ablekuma North elections, in which allegations of vote buying were reportedly ignored by the party and the presidency. He stressed that the selective enforcement of rules had created the impression of bias. “Some months ago, the regional minister openly stated that vote buying was not an issue. The presidency did not take action then. But suddenly, because of Baba Jamal, they created a fuss,” he said.
Adomako-Mensah elaborated on the majority caucus’ call for annulment of the by-election results, which he described as performative rather than substantive. He claimed that many signatories of the statement, including regional caucus chairs, privately disagreed with the call. He argued that the move to form a committee to investigate Baba Jamal was politically motivated and predicted that the investigation would ultimately clear the candidate. “I knew in the long run Baba Jamal will be cleared. And he has been cleared. He will join the same caucus that called for the annulment,” he stated.
The MP described Baba Jamal’s victory as a blow to the party’s establishment, noting that the candidate’s win in what he called a safe NDC seat challenged internal hierarchies. Adomako-Mensah also noted warnings from local community leaders, including Zongo chiefs in Nima, who cautioned the party against attempting to annul the results, indicating potential unrest if the party disregarded the electorate’s decision.
Addressing public perception and social media reactions, Adomako-Mensah observed that think tanks and commentators had praised the president for appearing to take a firm stance against vote buying, despite the lack of evidence against Baba Jamal. He questioned the basis for the president’s strong statement recalling the candidate, stressing that no tangible proof of misconduct had been presented. “If there’s no evidence, how do you say the man is guilty? On what basis then did the president write such a strong-worded letter?” he asked rhetorically.
Adomako-Mensah also criticised what he described as the NDC’s attempt to present itself as reformed and different from past practices. He cited the party’s own internal committee clearance of Baba Jamal as evidence that nothing significant had changed. “Nobody should create any impression that this is part of the agenda of resetting. Nothing has happened. We are back to square one,” he said.
The MP provided a detailed account of the individuals involved in the majority caucus’ letter calling for annulment, listing names including Hon. Collins Dauda, Hon. Mohammed Bawa Braimah, Hon. Vincent Oppong Asamoah, Hon. Prince Torkia Soyah, Hon. Joseph Appiah Boateng, Hon. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Hon. Bandim Abednego Azuma, Hon. Alhassan Umar, Hon. John Bless Oti Bless, Hon. Andrew Derry Chiwete, Hon. James Agaga, Hon. Sebastian Sandaari, Oscar Larbi, Isaac Adjei Mensah, Emmanuel Kwesi Bedja, and Dominic Napare. He claimed that all were on the ground at Ablekuma during the elections and had not witnessed any vote buying, further undermining the credibility of the annulment call.
Adomako-Mensah emphasised that Baba Jamal’s victory reflects the will of the electorate and warned against allowing internal party politics to override democratic outcomes. “Honorable Baba Jamal is the candidate. I am confident, based on historical records, that he’s going to win. If he wins, he will join the majority caucus that wrote a letter to annul his election. It will be an interesting scenario,” he remarked, foreshadowing potential tensions within Parliament once the candidate assumes his seat.
Throughout the interview, the MP repeatedly criticised selective enforcement, hypocrisy, and political opportunism within the NDC, framing the Ayawaso East by-election as emblematic of broader struggles over power, influence, and control ahead of future party contests. He cautioned that any attempts to undermine the election’s outcome could provoke unrest and urged party leaders to respect both the electorate’s choice and the integrity of internal democratic processes.
The broadcast concluded with Adomako-Mensah urging transparency and fairness in party politics, warning against creating public perceptions of double standards, and highlighting the need for consistent enforcement of rules to maintain credibility and public trust.