The Minority caucus in Parliament has insisted that it now holds the majority position following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to adjourn the House indefinitely on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
The adjournment came after a tense session, during which the Speaker cited an insufficient number of Members of Parliament (MPs) to proceed with business.
The parliamentary impasse stems from Speaker Bagbin’s recent declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.
This decision was based on a motion filed by Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Forson, invoking constitutional provisions concerning MPs who had either switched parties or ran as independents. The affected seats include those of MPs for Fomena, Suhum, Agona West, and Amenfi Central.
Although the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on Bagbin’s ruling, preventing the seats from being immediately vacated, the Minority has maintained that the Speaker’s decision has shifted the balance of power in their favour.
In an interview with Vivian Kai Lokko on Channel One TV, the MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, reinforced the Minority’s position. He argued that the Speaker’s ruling declaring the four seats vacant stands and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs will not yield to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) until the Speaker reverses his decision.
Ayariga also stated that the Minority would comply with the Speaker’s directive to adjourn and return to their constituencies, awaiting a new date for Parliament to reconvene.
He reiterated that their caucus would continue to view themselves as the majority until the matter is fully resolved in Parliament.
This parliamentary standoff has added a layer of uncertainty to the legislative process, with both parties awaiting the next steps.
“We’re the Majority [NDC Minority], the Speaker didn’t set aside his directive and you will recall we said that it is only when the Speaker changes his communication that we on the NDC side will review anything.
“So far as we’re concerned, the Speaker’s communication in terms of the numbers in the house still stands. He hasn’t varied anything. And so I can assure you that we consider ourselves as the Majority and will act as such, there’s no issue at all. We don’t have a problem. We will go back to our constituencies and run our election campaign, that’s all.”
He dismissed concerns that Ghanaians would suffer the consequences of their actions, arguing that it would not stifle government business. He also accused the government of mismanaging the economy.
“Tell me what proper business is going to suffer? Tell me what proper businesses this government could have conducted within this period to change the circumstances of the suffering Ghanaians that is so important and urgent.”
Earlier this morning, there was tight security before parliamentary proceedings, with the Majority walking out and leaving the Minority behind.
Source: citinewsroom
