Kpandai MP Matthew Nyindam says he went to the Supreme Court fully prepared for any outcome, despite being confident that he had lawfully won the 2024 parliamentary election.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) legislator said he entered the courtroom with uncertainty, faith, and acceptance, knowing the final decision was beyond his control.
“You know something, obviously I didn’t know the outcome, to be honest with you,” he said. “I was prepared for any outcome.”
His comments follow the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the High Court ruling that had annulled his election. In a 4–1 majority judgment, the apex court upheld Nyindam’s application and restored his mandate as Kpandai MP.
The court ruled that the High Court acted without jurisdiction. The decision came after Mr Nyindam invoked the Supreme Court’s supervisory powers, arguing that the election petition against him was filed outside the constitutional timeline.
Reflecting on the tense hours before the ruling, Mr Nyindam said his emotions were shaped by recent political developments elsewhere.
“Because you are in opposition and looking at what happened in Tamale, I wasn’t too sure,” he said.
He maintained that he had always known he won the election, despite claims of irregularities raised in the petition.
“I knew very well that I won this election,” he stated.
Matthew Nyindam said he relied solely on faith as he headed to court.
“I told my God that, look, I have nobody to speak for me. I’ve trusted in God for some time now, and I hope and pray that by the time the judges speak, God will speak through them.”
He pointed to the law governing election petitions, stressing that challengers have only 21 days to file after gazetting.
“Although it was clear on the law that you have 21 days to file a petition, and after 21 days, you don’t have that opportunity,” he said.
He referenced the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling, which unanimously affirmed December 24, 2024, as the official gazette date confirmed by the Electoral Commission.
“There was no descending excuse. It was unanimous,” he said.
Based on that decision, Mr Nyindam argued that the petition filed on January 25, 2025, fell outside the constitutionally permitted period.
“Looking at the application that was filed on the 25th of January, 2025, it was clear that if we really want to uphold the dignity and sanity of our courts, this verdict should come,” he said.
Despite that legal clarity, he admitted lingering doubt.
“But in this country, what I saw from Tamale, I wasn’t too sure,” he added.
Mr Nyindam said he was mentally prepared even if the court had ordered a fresh election.
“If they say we should go back to the ground and have elections, I know I was going to run that election with the state, not the candidate,” he said.
He described the challenge such a contest would pose.
“Where you have all the state powers, ministers, CEOs, everybody will come there. It’s going to be tough for me.”
Still, he said he was ready to accept whatever verdict emerged.
“I was hoping that the people of Kpandai will speak, and if they decide otherwise, that is destiny,” he said.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com