Senior Adviser to the Bawumia Campaign Team and Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has denied allegations that the campaign of former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia distributed money to delegates to influence votes during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) recent presidential primaries.

His response follows claims by some delegates at selected voting centres that they had been promised cash by coordinators linked to certain flagbearer camps.

Videos circulating on social media show a number of delegates alleging they were waiting to receive GH¢700 from the camp of Dr Bryan Acheampong before casting their ballots.

Mr Awuku said he was unaware of any such inducements originating from the Bawumia camp prior to voting, stressing that he had not been part of any decision to offer money to delegates.

He drew a clear distinction between vote-buying and providing basic logistical support, such as transportation, to enable delegates to access polling venues.

Mr Awuku cautioned that the use of financial incentives to sway electoral decisions undermines democratic principles, noting that inducement becomes dangerous when money, rather than conviction, determines how people vote. He said such practices, if proven, risk eroding trust in internal party democracy.

Addressing suggestions that the Bawumia camp may have facilitated transport for delegates, Mr Awuku said any such assistance, if it occurred, was not centrally organised by the campaign.

He explained that individuals might have offered support on their own initiative, without any directive from the campaign leadership.

Citing his own constituency as an example, he said he personally arranged transport for delegates travelling from distant areas, but made it clear that this was not tied to how they voted.

He emphasised that delegates were encouraged to exercise their franchise freely and according to their conscience.

Speaking on Citi FM on Monday, February 2, Mr Awuku said, “I haven’t been part of any meeting where we agreed that monies should be given to delegates. If it’s about ferrying somebody from one point to the voting centre, I don’t think that is part of buying the votes of delegates.”

He concluded by urging the party’s Presidential Primaries Committee to thoroughly investigate the allegations and give all camps mentioned in the claims a fair opportunity to respond and clear their names.