The Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has directed Zakaria Abdulai, the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), to step aside from the party’s primaries pending investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
In a statement issued by the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, on October 20, 2026, the directive was announced.
According to the NDC, the decision is to allow an unhindered investigation into the allegations against Abdulai.
The NDC stated, “After further consideration, FEC has directed that Mr Zakaria Abdulai step aside, in the overriding interest of transparency and accountability, to allow for an unhindered investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service”.
“This position is taken in good faith and is in no way a determination of the merits of the allegations against Abdulai, who remains entitled to the presumption of innocence,” the statement added.
The NDC directive follows an earlier press release issued by the party on October 19, 2026, on the same matter.
NDC had shockingly reversed an earlier decision asking embattled Obuasi Senior High Technical School headmaster Zakaria Abdulai to withdraw from the constituency chairmanship race.
According to Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy General Secretary, the Obuasi SHTS headmaster can now contest while investigations into sexual abuse allegations against him continue.
Mustapha Gbande, however, warned that Zakaria Abdulai winning the election would not shield the aspirant from removal.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Mustapha Gbande stated, “He can now file and proceed”.
He disclosed that the decision follows the headmaster’s appearance before the party’s Functional Executive Committee.
“Indeed, it is true. Those were preliminary directives that were taken.”
Mr Gbande said the party wanted to protect the aspirant’s rights while allowing those processes to run.
The NDC Deputy General Secretary said the party wanted to protect the aspirant’s rights while allowing those processes to run.
“We have given him an opportunity to state his case, and so I wouldn’t be his PRO.”
“He would have to go and make his own case,” he said.
“But in the meantime, we think that, given the nature of the processes that have been triggered, it is only prudent and right that the party proceed with caution and follow the story keenly as it unravels.”
Earlier, the NDC had ordered the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, to withdraw from the Juaben constituency chairmanship race or risk disqualification.
According to Manasseh Azure Awuni, whose exposé led to the interdiction of Zakaria Abdulai, the NDC has ordered the headmaster to withdraw from the election.
In a Facebook post on October 18, 2026, Manasseh wrote, “The NDC has ordered the Obuasi SHTS headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, to withdraw from the Juaben chairmanship race or be disqualified”.
Also, the NDC’s Deputy National Communications Director, Julius Kwame Anthony, has confirmed the development.
“The party has directed: withdraw your attempts to contest for the chairmanship or be disqualified. That is the party’s position, well communicated to the headmaster,” he said.
“Our rationale is simple: this person is currently being investigated by law enforcement agencies who essentially report to our government,” he explained.
Zakaria Abdulai, popularly known as Paapaa, is facing allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female student.
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