Tensions flared in Parliament between Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and now Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, after the Speaker declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
During the parliamentary sitting on Thursday, October 17, 2024, Speaker Alban Bagbin ruled in favor of the NDC caucus after deliberating on a petition from Tamale South MP Haruna Iddrisu (presented by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson) to declare four seats: Suhum, Fomena, Amenfi Central, and Agona West, vacant.
It follows a move by the NDC MPs on the Speaker, based on Article 97 [1(g) & (h)] of the 1992 Constitution which states that “A member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament if he leaves the party of which he was a member at the time of his election to Parliament to join another party or seeks to remain in Parliament as an independent member; or if he was elected a member of Parliament as an independent candidate and joins a political party.”
The Speaker’s decision largely infuriated the NPP caucus, particularly their leader, Afenyo-Markin, who had a heated exchange of words with Alban Bagbin during a dispute over the declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.
The Speaker’s order for Afenyo-Markin to resume his seat was ignored, leading to a walkout from the Chamber by the NPP MPs.
Meanwhile, the NPP MPs have declared their intention to boycott parliamentary proceedings until the Supreme Court resolves the matter.
Read an excerpt of their exchange below:
Afenyo-Markin: Mr Speaker, whoever told you that I threw a paper at somebody, this has to do with my credibility and I will not allow it
Bagbin: Honorable member you don’t listen at all
Afenyo-Markin: Mr Speaker I do
Bagbin: I never said you threw a paper at anybody, I never said that.
Afenyo-Markin: Mr Speaker that’s exactly what you said. Let the answer check it, that is what you said.
Bagbin: You see, you’e not listening. Honorable member, I said the court process was thrown on the table in the office. I never stated it was thrown by you at any person.
Bagbin: I never stated it was thrown by you at any person.
Afenyo-Markin: Mr Speaker, you said I allegedly sent some bailiffs
Bagbin: No, no, no…
Afenyo-Markin: Mr Speaker, then clarify.
Bagbin: Please, listen to me. Honorable Majority Leader, I don’t want to proceed to make some orders. Please resume your seat, I am very serious about that so please resume your seat.
Watch the video below:
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
