NDC reverses course, orders accused Obuasi SHTS headmaster to step aside from chairmanship race

The Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reversed its decision to clear the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, to contest the Juaben Constituency chairmanship election, directing him to step aside pending a police investigation into allegations against him.

The directive, issued by the party’s FEC on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, is intended to allow the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to conduct an unhindered investigation into the allegations.

In a statement issued the same day, the party said the decision was taken in the interest of transparency and accountability, stressing that it did not amount to a determination of the merits of the allegations against Mr. Abdulai.

The NDC maintained that Mr. Abdulai remains entitled to the presumption of innocence while investigations are ongoing.

The party also expressed confidence in the CID’s ability to conduct a thorough, fair, and expeditious investigation, adding that it would be guided by the outcome.

The latest directive follows a series of shifts in the party’s position regarding Mr. Abdulai’s participation in the Juaben Constituency chairmanship race.

On October 18, the NDC instructed him to withdraw from the contest or risk disqualification. However, on October 19, the party briefly cleared him to contest after reconsidering its earlier stance.

This latest statement, however, requires him to step aside to allow the police inquiry to proceed without obstruction.

The FEC has consequently directed the Ashanti Regional Election Committee and the Juaben Constituency Election Committee to take note of the decision and act accordingly.