National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs in Parliament have declared that it now holds the majority position following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to adjourn the House indefinitely on Tuesday, October 22.
This adjournment occurred after a tense session, where the Speaker cited the lack of quorum to take decisions even though they had quorum to conduct parliamentary business.
The ongoing dispute stems from Speaker Bagbin’s recent declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant, a decision influenced by a motion from Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
The motion invoked constitutional provisions regarding MPs who had either switched parties or contested as independents, affecting the seats for Fomena, Suhum, Agona West, and Amenfi Central.
Although the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on the Speaker’s ruling, temporarily halting the vacancies, the Minority insists that Bagbin’s decision has altered the balance of power in their favour.
MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has reinforced this stance, stating that the Minority would not concede to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) until the Speaker reverses his ruling.
Mr Ayariga also mentioned that the Minority would comply with the Speaker’s directive to adjourn and return to their constituencies, while they await a new date for Parliament to reconvene.
“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.”
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