Majority and Minority Caucuses clash in Parliament over status of Kpandai MP

The Parliament of Ghana was thrown into a heated debate on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, as the Majority and Minority Caucuses clashed over the fate of Matthew Nyindam, the embattled Member of Parliament for Kpandai, whose election was recently nullified by the Tamale High Court on Monday, November 24.

Presiding over the tense session, Second Deputy Speaker Andrew Amoako Asiamah deferred pronouncement on Nyindam’s status, citing the need for further clarity before a final decision could be made by the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin.

His move came after sharp disagreements erupted between both sides of the House during deliberations on the 2026 Budget Statement. 

Mr Rockson-Nelson Defeamekpor, the Majority Chief Whip, and NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, argued that Parliament had formally been served with the High Court ruling, and therefore Nyindam could not continue to enjoy parliamentary courtesies.

He insisted that the embattled legislator should not be allowed to contribute to the ongoing budget debate, stressing that the ruling effectively stripped him of his mandate. 

Mr Defeamekpor drew parallels with the case of James Gyasi Quayson, the Assin South MP, who faced similar restrictions after his election was annulled.

“The filing of an appeal does not set aside the High Court’s decision,” Mr Defeamekpor maintained. 

In sharp contrast, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, also the MP for Effutu, defended Nyindam’s right to participate in parliamentary proceedings.

He revealed that the Kpandai MP had filed a stay of execution at the Appeals Court, arguing that until the appellate process was concluded, Nyindam remained entitled to his seat and privileges. 

Caught between the opposing arguments, Second Deputy Speaker Amoako Asiamah opted to defer ruling on the matter, leaving Nyindam’s parliamentary status in limbo.

The decision underscored the growing tension between the two Caucuses, with the Majority insisting on strict adherence to the High Court ruling, while the Minority pushes for recognition of the appeal process. 

As the 2026 Budget debate continues, the unresolved question of Nyindam’s participation threatens to deepen partisan divisions in Parliament, setting the stage for further confrontations in the days ahead. 

On Monday, November 24, 2025, His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Bart-Plange Brew of the Tamale High Court ordered a complete rerun of the Kpandai parliamentary election, a decision that has sparked debate over the role of the judiciary in Ghana’s democratic process. 

Source: GNA

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