Oppong Nkrumah Slams NPP's Withdrawal of Cooperation as Twisting Rules for Injustice

The Minority in Parliament has accused parliamentary authorities of manipulating procedures following a letter circulating on social media indicating the Kpandai seat has been declared vacant.

Ofoase Ayirebi MP, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story, alleged that the NPP caucus received information about “a lot of pressure” being exerted on the Speaker of Parliament to reverse his earlier decision recognizing Matthew Nyindam as the legitimate MP for Kpandai, despite a High Court ruling that annulled the 2024 election results in the constituency.

According to Oppong Nkrumah, when the caucus sought clarification from the Speaker’s office, they were assured that no such reversal was planned. However, a letter purportedly from the Speaker to the Electoral Commission surfaced on social media, declaring the seat vacant.

“Only for us to see this letter flying on social media purporting to be a letter informing the Electoral Commission that the Speaker has declared the seat vacant,” he lamented. “This development convinced the caucus that the rules of procedure are being used to perpetrate an injustice.”

As a result, the NPP MPs have unanimously decided to withdraw cooperation with the House. “Prior to this, we have been cooperating on everything. Every little report that comes, every document we consider, we have supported. They have elected to put a spanner in their own works. It is very unfortunate, but we are left with no choice but to withdraw cooperation,” Oppong Nkrumah stressed.

Addressing concerns that this withdrawal could facilitate the passage of the Majority’s agenda, Oppong Nkrumah dismissed the notion. “We are here in the chamber. We’ve withdrawn cooperation, and we want the Speaker to assure us he is sticking to his earlier ruling and has not succumbed to any behind‑the‑scenes pressure as part of efforts to give this government an overwhelming majority for constitutional amendments.”

He further claimed there is an “ongoing agenda” to manipulate parliamentary numbers, warning that Ghanaians are witnessing this unfold. “Ghanaians are witnessing the scheme unfold in real time,” he stated.

Background

The controversy stems from a prior ruling by Speaker Alban Bagbin affirming Matthew Nyindam’s position as MP for Kpandai, despite the High Court’s annulment of the 2024 election. The Speaker had cited Court of Appeal rules, stating that a notice of appeal automatically stays the High Court’s decision for seven days. He explained that, given the judgment date of November 24, 2025, the stay was valid until December 1, 2025.

However, on December 4, the Parliamentary Service, through Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, officially notified the Electoral Commission of the vacancy in the Kpandai seat, citing Article 112(5) of the Constitution. This notice initiates the process for a by-election.

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