The resolve of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to further shrink the size of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Members of Parliament (MP) gained oxygen yesterday through a favourable court judgement.
If the judgement is upheld, the 87 MPs for the minority will reduce to 86. Already, the NDC is threatening a ‘showdown’ in the rerun, arguing their opponent should rather not contest.
On Monday, 24 November, 2025 the High Court in Tamale nullified the 2024 parliamentary elections of the Kpandai constituency and ordered a rerun in 30 days.
Though the full judgement will be made public on Friday, to know the reasoning of the court, procedural irregularities at the collation centre were cited.
The judgement was in favour of the NDC candidate, Daniel Nsala Wakpai, the petitioner, who defeated the NPP candidate, Matthew Nyindam in 2020, but was defeated in 2024, until the declaration by the court yesterday.
ARGUMENT
The counsel for the defendant told journalists that evidence on the record is that there was violence at the initially designated collation centre and once there was violence, the EC had the right to relocate the collation centre.
He quoted Regulation 48 of CI 127 and said that the absence of a candidate and his agent at the collation centre does not invalidate the results. He argued that even the disputed polling stations would not alter the election outcome.
“They said they affected polling station 41, that the total votes were about 500. Commonsensically, if you take that 500 votes and add it to the petitioner, he will still not win the elections.”
“The law is in the bosom of the judge. That doesn’t mean the judge is necessarily right. That’s why there is a hierarchy. You climb the next ladder… the Court of Appeal in this case.”
APPEAL
Meanwhile, the current MP for Kpandai, Matthew Nyindam, who adds to the 87 MPs of the minority, has filed for an appeal and a stay of execution.
His counsel told journalists after the proceedings that they respect and accept the decision of the court, but disagree with it.
He said, “We believe that the petition was frivolous, but the court has decided otherwise, so we respect the decision of the court.
“But we strongly disagree with the judgement and we have already shown our disagreement by filing a competent notice of appeal and we’ve added a motion for stay of execution.”
The lawyer indicated that he anticipated an unfavourable ruling and prepared in advance, based on information they picked up ahead.
“As a lawyer, if you are getting information that judgement will be compromised, you prepare. So, you come for the judgement with a notice of appeal in your pocket, and that was exactly what I did.”
REJECT
The MP, Matthew Nyindam, also rejected the ruling, insisting he remains the duly elected representative.
“Let me, in the first place, thank my supporters, thank the good people of Kpandai and let me put it on record that I’m still their MP. I want to put it on record that I’m still their MP.”
He claimed the judgement did not surprise him, alleging political interference and pointed to the constituency’s pink sheets as proof of his victory.
He accused the NDC of attempting to use state influence to overturn the constituency’s will, arguing that “They decided to come to court knowing very well that maybe they’ll be able to use the state’s powers to overturn certain things.”
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