The Director of Elections and Research for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Evans Nimako, has dismissed criticisms from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following the Ayawaso East by-election, insisting that the opposition party cannot dictate the NPP’s electoral strategy.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Wednesday, Mr. Nimako said while the NDC may celebrate its victory and “make a lot of noise,” it does not have the moral right to advise the NPP on how to organise itself politically.

“It doesn’t lie in their mouth to tell us what we have to do strategically or otherwise. The New Patriotic Party, at any point in time, has its strategy that will go into any election,” he stated.

His comments come in the wake of the NPP’s loss in the Ayawaso East by-election on Tuesday, where the NDC candidate, Baba Jamal secured 10,884 votes to win the vacant seat. The NPP's Yusif Ali Baba got 4,009 votes to place second in the race of five candidates.

Candidates	Votes
Baba Jamal Ahmed	10,884
Ibrahim Iddrisu	43
Yusif Ali Baba	4,009
Mohammed Umar Sanda	1,885
David Kanor	104
Valid votes	16,928
Rejected votes	120
Total votes cast	17,048

Also, political scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr Kwame Asah-Asante, has urged the NPP to rethink its strategy in the Ayawaso East constituency following the recent by-election.

However, Mr. Nimako maintained that electoral outcomes must be viewed within the broader political dynamics of constituencies.

“If you know constituencies and their dynamics, you will not raise too many issues. In all the 276 constituencies, there are strongholds, swing areas and balanced seats. No one party has been able to win all seats in any election,” he explained.

He further likened post-election criticisms to reactions after a battle, noting that “when you have gone to war and you come back, you will hear all sorts of things,” but emphasized that the NPP remains focused on internal review rather than external commentary.

According to him, the party is grateful to constituents who supported its candidate and will continue to engage voters as part of its democratic responsibility.

“We are thankful to the constituents. We know what we have to do in the next elections, and we will continue to engage the people,” he assured.