Declare Kpandai MP ‘Persona non grata’

The Majority Chief Whip Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has called on the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, to bar the MP for Kpandai, Matthew Nyindam from participating in any parliamentary business.

The argument escalated when Mr. Nyindam, whose election was annulled by the Tamale High Court on November 24, 2025, was set to contribute to the debate on the 2026 budget statement. The Majority objected to his participation, maintaining that he was no longer a member of the House.

Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, the Majority Chief Whip argued that allowing Nyindam to participate in any further parliamentary business would contradict the legal directive issued by the court.

“Parliament has been duly served with a court order challenging Nyindam’s legitimacy and directing a re-run of the parliamentary election in the constituency

“So Honourable Nyindam is now a persona non grata. On this floor and as a member of Parliament, the court says he must go back and go through the processes, and if he is truly re-elected, he can come back,” he argued.

Countering these arguments, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin urged the Speaker to dismiss Dafeamekpor’s appeal, and emphasized the importance of adhering to due process and maintaining decorum within the parliamentary setting.

“Parliament is a forum for intellectual discourse, not confrontational exchanges,” he cautioned.

Meanwhile, the Minority had earlier indicated its readiness to challenge the decision of the Tamale High Court, hinting at an already filed Stay of Execution.

“No person, no institution, and certainly no flawed judicial order can suspend the mandate you freely and lawfully conferred upon him.

“Unless and until the appellate process, properly invoked and fully exhausted, runs its lawful course, he will continue to serve you with dedication and dignity,” he said.

Responding to the arguments and counterarguments, the Second Deputy Speaker explained that he had received written notice from Speaker Alban Bagbin to pause the matter until he resumed the chair.