On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, the Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) staged a significant disruption during a parliamentary session, refusing to allow proceedings to continue unless a recent letter from the Clerk to the Electoral Commission (EC) that declared the Kpandai parliamentary seat vacant was rescinded.
The Minority caucus, adorned in black clothing, displayed their discontent by holding up placards inscribed with powerful messages such as “Where is the National Peace Council?” and “Are Journalists on JDM’s Payroll?” They expressed their outrage towards the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Djietror, for his decision to submit the notification of the vacancy to the EC, despite the existence of an ongoing appeal at the Court of Appeal and a separate judicial review petition at the Supreme Court regarding the matter.
The parliamentary session commenced at 12 p.m., but the House has been unable to conduct any business due to the staunch protests and claims by the Minority that the Kpandai seat should not be regarded as vacant at this time. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, was forced to temporarily suspend proceedings as he departed from his chair, following the Minority's refusal to comply with his orders for maintaining decorum.
When the session resumed, the protest continued, with Minority MPs chanting patriotic songs and demanding the resignation of the Clerk to Parliament. Speaker Bagbin, now back in his position, urged the Minority to allow parliamentary business to resume. He stressed the importance of moving forward, stating, “Business must go on today in the interest of the public and in your own interest. Let peace prevail.”
Despite the Speaker's appeal for calm, the Minority remained resolute in their opposition, persistently chanting and disrupting proceedings while insisting on the immediate withdrawal of the letter regarding the Kpandai vacancy. In an effort to facilitate dialogue, Speaker Bagbin called upon Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga to speak, but the Minority MPs resisted any attempts to continue with the session, further escalating tensions in the Chamber.
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In light of these circumstances, Speaker Bagbin announced a second recess, lasting five minutes, to allow both leadership teams from the Majority and Minority to convene for discussions. The expectation is that this meeting would produce a resolution, enabling the House to proceed with its agenda.
The Kpandai parliamentary seat was officially declared vacant by the Speaker following a court ruling mandating a rerun of the elections in that constituency. The Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahimah Djietror, had communicated this decision to the EC in a formal letter, underlining his responsibility as dictated by Article 112(5) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
In the letter, Djietror formally notified the EC of the vacancy, attributing it to an Order issued by the High Court in Tamale on November 24, 2025, which called for a rerun of the Kpandai parliamentary elections. “This notification follows the service of a court Order on the Clerk to Parliament, as the 4th Respondent in the Suit Numbered: NR/TL/HC/E13/22/25. Accordingly, please be informed,” he stated in the letter.
The High Court's directive for a rerun of the elections is to be carried out within 30 days from November 24, 2025. The decision was issued by Justice Emmanuel Brew Plange, who cited significant irregularities in both the voting and collation processes that cast doubt on the integrity of the election results. Allegations of misconduct during the electoral process have posed serious questions regarding the authenticity of the outcome.
Matthew Nyindam's legal team has since lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal, as well as a judicial review application at the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s verdict. This ongoing legal battle highlights the contentious atmosphere surrounding the Kpandai constituency and reflects the broader implications for the parliamentary process in Ghana.
As the session continues to face disruptions, it remains to be seen how the leadership teams will resolve the escalating tensions, and whether the Minority will relent in their demands. The prospect of a return to normalcy in parliamentary proceedings hinges on an agreement that addresses the concerns raised by the Minority MPs, while also considering the urgency required for the House to fulfill its legislative responsibilities in the interest of the public.
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