Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Divine Otoo Agorhom, says the controversy surrounding the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ayawaso East parliamentary primary is tilting the political contest in favour of the NPP ahead of an anticipated by-election.

Speaking on the Channel One Newsroom on Monday, Mr Agorhom said allegations of vote buying have put the NDC on the back foot and could significantly reshape the dynamics of the contest in the constituency.

According to him, the fallout from the primary is likely to constrain the NDC’s campaign strategy, particularly practices commonly associated with by-elections.

“Fortunately, what happened in the camp of our opponents will change the game for us. Things are working in our favour. Usually, during by-elections like that, that is where you see intensive voter inducement. But what just happened, in a way, takes out that one. I don’t think that the NDC will be coming into the constituency with that posture of buying votes. We are in opposition, and that, I think, is working for us,” he said.

The comments come amid heightened scrutiny of the NDC’s Ayawaso East parliamentary primary, won by former Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed.

The election was marred by allegations of vote buying, including claims that some delegates received television sets and food items from Baba Jamal’s campaign.

The controversy has triggered internal tensions within the NDC, with the Majority Caucus in Parliament calling for the annulment of the primary.

In response, the party constituted a three-member committee, chaired by former Minister of Information, Kofi Totobi Quakyi, to investigate the allegations and recommend sanctions and reforms.

President John Dramani Mahama has since recalled Baba Jamal from his diplomatic post in Nigeria, a move that has further intensified public and political scrutiny of the primary.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has launched investigations into alleged vote buying and related corrupt practices during both the NDC Ayawaso East parliamentary primary and the New Patriotic Party presidential primary.

The OSP has also alleged that Baba Jamal incited individuals to physically attack one of its officers during the service of an investigative directive, an allegation he has denied.

Despite the growing pressure, some local NDC executives and the Ayawaso Council of Zongo Chiefs have cautioned against annulling the primary, urging party leadership to respect the will of the delegates