The hopeful flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has accused the government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of hastily proceeding with the Kpandai parliamentary case, which he believes jeopardizes the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
In response to the Electoral Commission’s announcement to conduct a rerun of the Kpandai parliamentary election on December 30—following Parliament’s declaration of the seat as vacant due to a High Court annulment—Dr. Bawumia remarked that the government’s method demonstrates “an indecent haste” that strays from the democratic norms of Ghana.
He contended that the circumstances surrounding former MP and NPP candidate Matthew Nyindam are not unprecedented; however, it seems that the government and state institutions are applying different standards compared to similar past cases.
Citing earlier instances involving Dan Abodakpi and Gyakye Quayson, he pointed out that Parliament and the relevant state entities permitted all legal proceedings to conclude before taking action. “Why the rush now?” he inquired.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized that Nyindam has submitted both an appeal and a judicial review, which remain unresolved. He asserted that proceeding with the rerun would constitute “railroading” him and would undermine the judicial process.
“I believe this undermines our democratic institutions,” he declared. “We should pause these processes and allow him to have his day in court, just as others have been permitted in the past.”
He also criticized what he termed a sudden deviation from parliamentary precedent, stating that the House “has never rushed in this manner when dealing with cases involving other parties.”
Dr. Bawumia called for restraint and fairness, cautioning that Ghana’s democracy can only flourish when state institutions enforce the rules impartially for all.
