Executive Director for African Institute for Strategic Studies, Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, has cautioned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against making Baba Jamal a scapegoat in the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged vote buying in the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary.
Baba Jamal who was declared winner of the primary has been accused of vote buying by dolling out monies and TV sets to delegates to vote in his favour in the February 7 primary held in Ayawaso East. He has since been questioned by a committee established by the party to look into the allegations.
The former High Commissioner to Nigeria was also recalled by President Mahama following the allegations but has denied the claims and maintained his innocence.
The Majority in Parliament has also called for the annulment of the elections, insisting on the party’s democratic values and principles.
Speaking on the matter on 3FM’s Hot Edition, Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere urged the party to tread cautiously in its attempt to make Baba Jamal a “scapegoat” out of the situation.
According to Dr. Otchere, singling out one individual for punishment while similar practices are widespread within the political system would amount to unfair treatment and political expediency.
“Probably they may have to start on a clean slate, but making Baba Jamal a scapegoat when all of you are equally guilty or even guiltier than himself, then it will be scapegoating and it will also be borne out of sycophancy,” he stated.
He further described the reported recall of Baba Jamal as punitive, arguing that the action effectively amounts to a dismissal rather than a resignation.
“I dare say that for the President to even recall Baba Jamal, that is punitive because he did not resign; he was virtually sacked and that is going to be part of his public records,” Dr. Otchere said.
According to him, the party may have been “a bit too quick” in making definitive statements on the matter, stressing that voter influence and inducement are not problems unique to one political party.
The governance analyst warned that the party must tread carefully in handling the matter.
“The party should tread cautiously because if they are not careful, they will tie their hands behind their back because that which has happened is likely to happen in the forthcoming internal elections that will be conducted,” he cautioned.
Dr. Otchere advised that once the committee investigating the Ayawaso East primary concludes its work, its recommendations should be forwarded to the party’s disciplinary committee for appropriate action.
“What can be done is that the recommendations that the Committee will bring should be referred to the disciplinary committee of the party and let the process continue,” he recommended.
