Parliament power play: No showdown tomorrow — NPP Caucus
The Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has downplayed any chaos in Parliament when the House reconvenes tomorrow [Tuesday, October 21] after contrasting judgements by the Speaker of Parliament and the Supreme Court on legislators who crossed carpets.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin explained that in a worst-case scenario, NPP MPs would stage a walkout and not engage in any confrontations.
His comment comes after Ghana’s apex court issued a stay of execution on the verdict by Speaker Alban Bagbin declaring four seats vacant in accordance with Article 97(1)(g) of the Constitution.
Delivering the judgement on Thursday, October 17, 2024, the Speaker said that by announcing their intent to switch political allegiances, these MPs have effectively forfeited their party affiliations, thus vacating their seats in Parliament.
The MPs—Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central)—are contesting the polls as independent candidates, while Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), an independent in the current parliament, returns to the NPP.
As a result, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had 136 seats, while the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) representatives declined to 135, making the NDC the majority party in Parliament.
Unhappy with the proceedings, the NPP Caucus staged a walkout to secure an injunction from the apex court, which overturned Speaker Bagbin’s ruling.
It is expected that with the intervention of the Supreme Court, NPP legislators will maintain their majority status.
However, the NDC has expressed opposition to the Supreme Court ruling, declaring their intentions to resist any attempt to alter their new status.
Consequently, there are fears that the NDC MPs will switch seats and occupy the section resolved for the Majority when Parliament resumes activities on Tuesday.
In an interview with Mr. Afenyo-Markin on the plans of the NPP Caucus on the development.
He indicated that the NPP will not engage in any banter over the issue.
“I can assure of that. There won’t be any showdown or whatever tomorrow. We are law-abiding people, and we won’t have the laxity for violence. Should they take over our seats or do anything that is untoward, I will lead a walkout,” he said on Monday on Peace FM.