Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has stepped down from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) investigation committee, established to probe allegations of vote buying in the party’s Ayawaso East parliamentary primary.
Mr. Ayariga’s decision follows the position taken by the NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament, which has called for the outright cancellation of the disputed primary and the disqualification of any candidate found culpable of electoral malpractice.
Sources within the party say the Majority Leader stepped aside from the committee to avoid any perceived conflict of interest, given the caucus’ publicly stated stance on the matter.
The NDC’s National Executive Committee constituted the investigative body after allegations of vote buying surfaced in the just-ended Ayawaso East primary, sparking internal tensions and public debate within the party.
Earlier on Sunday, the Majority Caucus issued a statement strongly condemning the alleged irregularities and urging the Functional Executive Committee of the party to annul the primary with immediate effect, arguing that the developments undermine efforts to restore integrity to Ghana’s politics.
The Ayawaso East primary has become a flashpoint within the NDC, drawing reactions from party leadership, parliamentary caucus members and candidates involved in the contest.
The party is yet to announce whether Mr. Ayariga’s resignation will affect the work or composition of the investigative committee, as members and supporters await further direction from the National Executive Committee.
