By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has defended the party’s appeal against the Tamale High Court ruling on the Kpandai parliamentary election, saying it is an exercise of a constitutional right guaranteed under Ghana’s Constitution.
Mr Ahiagbah said election petitions must be filed within 21 days, stressing that failure to meet the deadline is not a minor procedural issue but a substantive constitutional matter. “The law is clear. Twenty-one days is twenty-one days. If you are outside that window, you cannot maintain a claim in court,” he said.
He questioned why the Tamale High Court entertained a petition that he believes was filed outside the legally permitted period, describing the issue as fundamental rather than inconsequential. While acknowledging arguments that the matter was not raised during case management, he maintained that constitutional timelines are not subject to waiver or judicial discretion.
Mr Ahiagbah welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to stay proceedings, describing it as a step that restores constitutional order and protects the right of parties to fully exhaust the appeals process.
He expressed confidence that when the case returns to court on January 13, the Supreme Court would dismiss the matter and clarify the legal position on the dispute.
