BY Grace Zigah
The political and legal drama in the Kpandai Constituency has intensified sharply following a swift response by the incumbent Member of Parliament, Matthew Nyindam, to a High Court ruling that annulled the 2024 parliamentary election results.
Barely few hours after the Tamale High Court declared the election invalid and ordered a fresh poll within 30 days, Matthew Nyindam filed both a Notice of Appeal and a Motion for Stay of Execution, effectively triggering a legal blockade against the implementation of the court’s directive.
Election Dispute
The dispute stems from the December 7, 2024 parliamentary election, where the Electoral Commission (EC) declared Nyindam of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) winner.
His victory margin—3,434 votes—appeared decisive and reinforced his stronghold in a constituency he had represented for two terms, surviving two “skirt and blouse” elections that underscored his local popularity.
However, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Daniel Nsala Wakpal, challenged the outcome. He petitioned the High Court, alleging widespread irregularities captured on Form 8A (pink sheets) from 41 out of 152 polling stations.
He argued that these breaches violated Regulations 39 and 43 of C.I. 127, which outline the legal framework for public elections.
On November 24, 2025, Justice Emmanuel Plange Brew ruled in favour of the petitioner, nullifying the election and directing the EC to conduct a fresh parliamentary election within 30 days—a decision that immediately reshaped political expectations in Kpandai.
Nyindam Strikes Back: Appeal Filed to Overturn Judgment
Determined to overturn the ruling, Nyindam’s legal team, led by Sylvester Isang Esq. of Isang@Law Chambers, filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal in Tamale.
The appeal challenges both the High Court’s ruling on preliminary objections on March 26, 2025, and the final judgment delivered on November 24, 2025.
The Notice of Appeal argues that the High Court:
Wrongly allowed the petition to proceed despite a duly filed Notice of Discontinuance by the petitioner;
Misapplied authoritative precedents from the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal;
Delivered a judgment that is erroneous, unjust, and contrary to sound legal principles.
Matthew Nyindam is seeking a full reversal of the High Court ruling and reinstatement of his electoral victory.
Move to Halt Fresh Election: Motion for Stay Filed
Alongside the appeal, Nyindam has filed a Motion for Stay of Execution, asking the Court of Appeal to freeze the High Court’s directive ordering a fresh election. His legal team argues that if the EC proceeds with a new poll while the appeal is pending:
The people of Kpandai would be denied parliamentary representation unnecessarily,
The appeal would be rendered meaningless if he eventually succeeds,
The MP would suffer irreparable harm, both politically and legally.
The supporting affidavit, sworn by Peter Najah, a legal clerk, affirms Matthew Nyindam’s dissatisfaction with the ruling and confidence in the appeal’s prospects. It also notes that the legal team has applied for a certified copy of the judgment to supplement its filings.
Najah insists that the respondent, Nsala Wakpal, would face no hardship from a stay, as any inconvenience could be compensated with costs.
Court-Stamped Filings and Exhibits
The High Court Registrar, Tamale, has authenticated and certified the following documents tendered by the MP’s legal team:
1. Exhibit PN – The request for a certified copy of the judgment.
2. Exhibit PN1 – The Notice of Appeal itself.
These filings clear the way procedurally for the case to advance to the Court of Appeal.
What Lies Ahead
The immediate question is whether the Court of Appeal will grant the Stay of Execution. Without it, the Electoral Commission must move ahead with preparations for a fresh election within 30 days as directed by the High Court.
With it, all EC actions will be suspended until the appeal is decided.
