Rights of MPs, constituents restored—Afenyo-Markin hails SC verdict
Majority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin has welcomed a Supreme Court judgement overturning a decision by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to declare four parliamentary seats vacant.
In a ruling on Friday, October 18, the apex court requested the Speaker of Parliament to reinstate the affected legislators after the Majority Caucus invoked the intervention of the highest court of the land.
Again on Friday, the Majority Leader filed a stay of execution following the Speaker’s ruling on Thursday, October 17.
The case was heard by a panel of justices chaired by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
Other members of the panel included Justice Mariama Owusu, Justice Kwame Adibu Asiedu, Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, and Justice Yaw Darko Asare.
The apex court’s decision effectively keeps the four MPs in parliament pending further legal proceedings.
The affected MPs were Peter Kwakyi Ackah of Amenfi Central, Cynthia Morrison of Agona West, Kwadjo Asante of Suhum, and Andrew Asiamah of Fomena.
While Peter Kwakyi Ackah, Cynthia Morrison, and Kwadjo Asante are contesting as independent candidates, Andrew Asiamah, who was in the House as an independent MP, is contesting the seat on the ticket of the NPP.
Reacting to the judgement, Mr. Afenyo-Markin was of the view that the apex court acted right by correcting a wrong.
“The founders of our tradition used the court to do right. We are democrats. We don’t believe in violence; we don’t believe in mischief and unnecessary political chaos. We came to court believing that the court would do right, and indeed the court has just done that. The rights of those MPs have been reinforced as well as the rights of those constituents who elected them,” the MP for Efutu noted.
‘He further encouraged the public to “peruse the full ruling of the court” to inform discussions and debates that are likely to follow the development.
He used the opportunity to thank members of the NPP who were crucial “towards preparing a solid case” that has resulted in the restoration of their status as the Majority in Parliament.
The whole case started after Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu, petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to declare vacant the seats of the three Majority MPs and one Minority MP due to their decision to switch allegiances in the upcoming December 7 polls.
This, he said, was in line with Article 97(1)(g) of the Constitution, which states that an MP shall vacate their seat if they leave the party they were elected under or seek to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate.
Delivering a verdict on Thursday, October 17, 2024, the Speaker said that by announcing their intent to cross carpets, these four MPs had effectively forfeited their party affiliations, thus vacating their seats in Parliament.
Parliament is expected to reconvene on Tuesday for the business of the House to proceed.