“Why do you think he was the only MP who managed to retain his seat in the President’s own backyard?” – Nation on Jinapor

According to an official Facebook Post by Nation Watch on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, attention has been drawn to the political resilience of the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, following the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) difficult performance in the 2024 parliamentary elections in the Savannah Region.

In a post discussing Jinapor’s political fortunes, Nation Watch questioned why he was the only NPP parliamentary candidate who managed to retain his seat in a region where the National Democratic Congress (NDC) secured an overwhelming majority of the parliamentary constituencies.

The post was captioned: “Why do you think he was the only MP who managed to retain his seat in the President’s own backyard?” It further carried the striking remark: “Dey play with Samuel A. Jinapor at your own risk!”

The question brings into focus Jinapor’s political standing in Damongo and the circumstances surrounding his continued electoral success, particularly in a region where the NDC has traditionally enjoyed considerable political support.

During the December 2024 general elections, Jinapor secured 16,222 votes to defeat his closest contender, Adam Mutawakilu of the NDC, who obtained 14,425 votes. His victory margin was approximately 1,797 votes.

The result was particularly significant considering the NDC’s performance across the Savannah Region. Out of the seven parliamentary constituencies, the NDC won six, leaving Damongo as the only constituency retained by the NPP.

Jinapor’s electoral performance has therefore become an interesting subject for political discussion, especially among those examining the factors that influence parliamentary elections beyond national political trends.

Several considerations may help explain his political resilience. His personal relationship with constituents, visibility in the constituency, political organisation, accessibility and ability to maintain connections with local communities are among the factors worth examining. However, determining the actual reasons for his victory requires a closer assessment of voter preferences and constituency-level dynamics.

His political journey in Damongo is also noteworthy because he first won the parliamentary seat in 2020, defeating the then-incumbent Adam Mutawakilu. He subsequently retained the seat in 2024 despite the NDC’s strong performance nationally and regionally.

Beyond the election results, Jinapor has continued to participate in activities aimed at strengthening the NPP’s presence in the Savannah Region. His recent commissioning of the party’s regional office complex in Damongo is another development highlighting his involvement in the party’s regional organisation.

Nation Watch’s commentary consequently invites political observers to look beyond party popularity and examine the individual factors that contribute to electoral victories.

The central question remains: What makes Samuel Abu Jinapor politically resilient in a constituency and region where the NDC enjoys considerable electoral support?

Source: Nation Watch, Official Facebook Post, 3 November 2026.

Lawrinda [email protected]