On July 22, 2025, the Minority Caucus of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) staged a dramatic walkout from Ghana’s Parliament during the swearing-in of Ewurabena Aubynn, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP-elect for Ablekuma North.
The protest followed Speaker Alban Bagbin’s rejection of a request by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh to comment before the ceremony, with Bagbin citing parliamentary rules that permit comments only after the swearing-in, a position supported by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga.
The NPP’s walkout reflects their rejection of the July 11, 2025, partial rerun results in 19 of 37 disputed polling stations, which they claim were marred by violence and irregularities, including assaults on NPP members like Hawa Koomson.
Aubynn’s victory, with 34,090 votes against NPP’s Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie’s 33,881, flipped the Ablekuma North seat, increasing the NDC’s parliamentary strength to 184 seats, alongside four independent MPs, while the NPP holds 86.
The rerun was ordered by the Electoral Commission after annulling results from the December 7, 2024, general election due to procedural breaches and clashes.
Despite the boycott, Speaker Bagbin proceeded with the ceremony, urging Aubynn to serve diligently and improve constituents’ lives, stating, “You are now the hope of the people of the constituency.”
The Minority continues to allege NDC manipulation and intimidation, maintaining the election was neither free nor fair.
