Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has withdrawn from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) investigation committee probing allegations of vote-buying during the party’s recent Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms on Sunday, February 8, 2026, Mr Ayariga said his continued membership of the committee had become “untenable” following the position taken by the NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament, which has called for the annulment of the disputed primary.
“In view of the position taken by the Caucus of the NDC in Parliament regarding the 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.
He added that he had formally notified the party leadership to appoint a suitable replacement to allow the committee’s work to continue without conflict of interest.
Background to the Investigation
The NDC, through its National Executive Committee, had earlier constituted a three-member investigation committee to probe allegations of widespread inducement and vote-buying during the parliamentary primaries held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in the Ayawaso East Constituency.
In a statement signed by General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the party said the committee was mandated to investigate the claims and submit its report by Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
“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 noted.
Majority Caucus Demands Annulment
Meanwhile, the NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament has taken a firm stance on the matter, formally calling for the immediate annulment of the Ayawaso East primary.
In a caucus statement signed by Mr Ayariga in his capacity as Majority Leader, the leadership resolved that the primary should be cancelled outright, citing concerns over electoral misconduct.
The caucus further demanded that any candidate found culpable of vote-buying or inducement be disqualified and barred from contesting in any fresh primary organised after the annulment.
The statement emphasised the caucus’ commitment to “restoring integrity to our politics”, stressing that decisive action was necessary to deter future misconduct and protect the credibility of the party’s internal democratic processes.
Pressure Mounts on NDC Leadership
Mr Ayariga’s withdrawal from the investigation committee adds a new dimension to the controversy, placing increased pressure on the NDC’s national leadership to act swiftly and decisively as the party seeks to uphold its reform agenda.
