The Member of Parliament for Kpandai has accused the MP for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor, of leading an alleged effort to have him removed from Parliament shortly after he was sworn in.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Thursday, February 5, the Kpandai MP, Matthew Nyindam, claimed that the South Dayi lawmaker openly threatened him just days after he was sworn in.
According to Mr Nyindam, the encounter took place in the corridors of Parliament only two days after his swearing-in. He said Mr Dafeamekpor told him directly, “You, I’m going to get you out of this place. I’m going to get you out of this.”
Mr Nyindam said he was shocked by the comment and questioned its basis. “I said, what is the meaning of that? Did you see me here in the eighth Parliament? I lost, so I had no business coming there,” he said, explaining that he had previously accepted defeat in good faith after losing by about 2,000 votes.
He said that after he lost the elections in 2020, he asked his supporters to remain calm and return home peacefully. “I told my supporters, look, we have lost. Let everybody go home. After that, let’s go back to the drawing board and see what happens in 2024,” he said.
Despite accepting the results at the time, Mr Nyindam claimed that campaign materials were later attacked. “They vandalised almost all my billboards. They destroyed almost everything. They won and even started fighting again,” he stated.
He said, as for elections, by the time you’re done with your collation, you should know whether you have won or not.
“By the time I finish my collation, I will know whether I have lost or I have won. The NDC in Kpandai they know very well that they lost the 2024 elections,” he said.
He further alleged that Mr Dafeamekpor had continued to lead what he described as a deliberate and coordinated attempt to remove him from Parliament.
“So, such a person is leading this crusade from day one up to now. If I tell you that it is a deliberate thing, an orchestrated thing, you should know that yes, from day one,” he said.
Mr Nyindam said he made it clear to his colleague that he could not intimidate him. “I told him, look, my brother, you don’t control me. You are not my God. I have a God. You can’t change anything about me, so leave it,” he stated.
When asked how his relationship with Mr Dafeamekpor has been since the Supreme Court declaration on his parliamentary status, Mr Nyindam said there had been no confrontation.
“I saw him the first day he was there. He walked past, that’s it. I’ll keep seeing him the same way. If he greets me, I’ll respond,” he said, adding that he personally has no problem with him.
Mr Nyindam also expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of respect from his colleague, pointing to his longer experience in Parliament.
“I’ve been on the front bench before him. I’ve been a whip before him. At least he should have respected me from that angle,” he said.
He added that he believes the role of a Chief Whip goes beyond party lines. “If you’re a chief whip, you’re not limited to only your side. You take care of everybody,” he said.
“For some reason, this is how he wants it. I’ll keep my cool. I realise that he wants a battle, maybe God will give him his own battle one day,” he added.
Looking ahead, the Kpandai MP said he remains focused on his political future and intends to contest again.
“I’ll contest in 2028. If I have life and there is no problem, I’ll contest. My people will not even agree that I shouldn’t contest,” he said.
