New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmakers retreated to their offices from the chamber of parliament on Tuesday morning to wait for the speaker’s arrival to commence proceedings, after the Supreme Court upheld their status as the Majority in Parliament.
This follows a decision by the Minority Caucus in Parliament to occupy the majority side of the house, intensifying the already tense standoff between the two sides.
Led by its leadership, the Minority made this move as Parliament reconvened on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, for a much-anticipated session.
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Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, October 22, in response to recent disruptions in the chamber, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, emphasised the NPP’s commitment to order and democracy.
“We are law-abiding. We have heard that our colleagues say they disagreed with the Supreme Court, using unprinted words on the Supreme Court. Ato Forson led the Minority Caucus, where they told Ghanaians that today they would come and occupy our seats by their own proclamation. NPP, our tradition is a law-abiding tradition. Our forebearers always used the courts to correct the wrongs.
“Our leaders had always used civil advocacy and the courts to ensure that we get the peace that we have today. The country is hereby informed that we will not give [in to] that lawless platform that NDC is seeking, we will not give them that theatre they so aggressively seek to destroy our democracy.
“We know there are innocent Ghanaians going about their business, academia, and those struggling. We care about them, and we understand that there is politics but we must do it in a civil manner. We believe that we should quietly yield to them and wait for Mr Speaker.
“Mr Speaker has been part of democracy since 1992, he is a senior lawyer, and even if he disagrees with the Supreme Court he knows what to do. The nation is looking up to Mr Speaker…this is a crucial moment for him to add weight to what we have done to preserve the peace, NPP is for peace. We will not allow anybody to disturb the peace of this country, it is a notorious fact that we remain the Majority Caucus of this House. We are leaving this chamber to our office awaiting Mr Speaker. That lawless theatre we will not share with them.”
The decision by the Minority to take over the seats designated for the Majority is seen as a response to the recent ruling by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, who declared four parliamentary seats vacant on October 17, effectively reducing the NPP’s numbers and tilting the balance of power in favour of the NDC.
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.
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.