NDC Breaks 32-Year Stronghold: Ewurabena Aubynn Wins Ablekuma North in Historic Re-Run

In a stunning political upset, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has captured the Ablekuma North parliamentary seat for the first time in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, with candidate Ewurabena Aubynn narrowly defeating the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Akua Afriyie by 209 votes in a tense re-run election.

The final results, announced late Friday night, showed Aubynn securing 34,090 votes to Afriyie’s 33,881, according to the Electoral Commission (EC). The contest spanned 281 polling stations, including 19 where voting was repeated on July 11. A total of 68,382 ballots were cast, with 411 rejected.

The re-run followed a legal battle after the original December 2024 election ended in controversy, with disputes over unsigned result sheets. Although the NPP initially claimed victory with a 414-vote margin, a High Court ruling in January 2025 halted certification and ordered further collation. Persistent irregularities led the EC to call for a full re-run.

The NPP’s campaign was hampered by deep internal divisions. Party leaders boycotted the re-run, branding it “electoral injustice,” but Afriyie pressed on independently, backed by some grassroots supporters. This internal strife, combined with sporadic election-day violence—including an attack on Afriyie and former Minister Hawa Koomson—further weakened the party’s footing.

Voting was marred by chaos at several polling stations. Unidentified individuals disrupted proceedings, and a police officer was interdicted after reportedly assaulting a journalist. Despite the tension, the process continued, and voter turnout remained high.

Aubynn’s victory represents a major shift in the political dynamics of Greater Accra. Analysts point to the NPP’s fractured front, the EC’s firm stance on electoral integrity, and the NDC’s focused campaign—especially its appeal to young voters—as key factors behind the historic win.

With this breakthrough, the NDC has not only ended the NPP’s decades-long grip on Ablekuma North but also signaled a potential reshaping of electoral loyalties in one of Ghana’s most competitive regions.