We Won in 2024 and We’ll Win Again – Nimako on Akwatia By-Election

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed strong optimism about retaining the Akwatia parliamentary seat following the untimely passing of its Member of Parliament, Ernest Kumi.

The NPP’s Director of Elections and Research, Evans Nimako, assured that the party is firmly positioned to win the upcoming by-election.

“I can assure that by the time the Electoral Commission is done with the conduct of this by-election, the NPP will retain the seat,” Nimako stated on Channel One TV’s Citiuation Room.

He added that the party has a proven track record in the constituency and believes the electorate will once again support their candidate.

“This is the seat that we won in 2024. By a certain arrangement, the NDC put up a needless contest, and we all saw that this constituency was being contested to the Supreme Court,” he explained.

Referring to the late MP, Nimako said the party is determined to honour his memory through victory at the polls.

“We can assure you that we will make him happy wherever he is by retaining the seat,” he noted.

Ernest Kumi, a first-time MP elected on the NPP ticket, died a few weeks ago after a short illness.

While official details surrounding his death remain undisclosed, JoyNews’ Parliamentary Correspondent Kweku Asante reported that Kumi was present in Parliament the week before his death.

Kumi’s political journey was not without controversy. He was at the centre of a protracted legal dispute over the legitimacy of his parliamentary seat.

In February 2025, the Koforidua High Court found him guilty of contempt for defying an injunction that barred him from being sworn in.

A bench warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to appear in court and disregarded judicial orders.

Analysis of Nimako’s high hopes over Akwatia by-election

Well, Nimako should by now recognise that the electorate is discerning, and perhaps hope to benefit from any sympathy votes for Solomon Kwame Asumadu, the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for the by-election.

Ultimately, it is the legacy of past MPs and the development they brought to the area that will determine whether the NPP can retain the seat.

Considering how poorly the party performed in the 2024 general elections—largely due to the overall dismal record of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration—this by-election is too close to call.

With the NDC’s impressive showing in recent polls, it would be overly optimistic for the NPP to assume this race is already in the bag.

Source: Liberalprint.com