BY VALENTIA TETTEH
The Majority Caucus in Parliament says it will not permit the Member of Parliament for Kpandai, Matthew Nyindam, to participate in debates or make contributions on the floor following the Tamale High Court’s decision annulling his election.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, November 26, Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor, insisted that once the High Court declared the Kpandai parliamentary election null and void, Mr. Nyindam no longer holds the right to partake in parliamentary proceedings.
“The Honourable Nyindam cannot participate in our proceedings,” Mr. Dafeamekpor said. “If he is minded to appeal, it is his right. But the mere fact of filing for execution does not operate as a stay against the orders of the Tamale High Court. Parliament, being duly served, has a duty under the law to ensure the MP is no longer extended courtesy.”
He argued that until an appellate court overturns the judgment or grants a stay of execution, Parliament is bound by the High Court’s order calling for a fresh election.
The Minority, however, strongly disagreed with the Majority’s position. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin defended Mr. Nyindam’s right to contribute to the 2026 Budget debate, describing attempts to silence him as unconstitutional.
“The Honourable Member is part of the 87 Minority MPs, and it is his turn to debate,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated. “Mr. Speaker, unless our friend, the Majority Chief Whip, wants to use physical means to disobey your order and deny the Member of Parliament his right to represent his people who elected him.”
The exchange prompted intervention from the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, who presided over the sitting. He revealed that Speaker Alban Bagbin had issued instructions for the House to suspend all discussions on Mr. Nyindam’s status until further notice.
“The Speaker has indicated that I should freeze this particular matter relating to Honourable Nyindam,” Mr. Asiamah said. “Therefore, I will not make any comment on it, and I pray that we suspend the debate on the Budget and do other business for the day.”
