Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has made it clear that the Majority caucus will not occupy the Minority’s seats in Parliament, following a recent Supreme Court decision that temporarily blocked Speaker Alban Bagbin’s move to declare four parliamentary seats vacant.
On Monday, November 11, Afenyo-Markin voiced this stance after the Supreme Court announced that it would deliver its judgment on the contested vacant seats on Tuesday, November 12. The case has intensified the divide between the Majority and Minority caucuses, sparking heated debate in Parliament.
The controversy originated from Speaker Bagbin’s decision to declare seats held by four Members of Parliament (MPs)—Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central)—as vacant, due to alleged violations of constitutional requirements, thereby warranting their removal.
However, Afenyo-Markin and others in the Majority argue that the Speaker exceeded his constitutional powers by acting without a judicial ruling or the commencement of by-elections.
Speaking to the press on Monday, Afenyo-Markin urged Speaker Bagbin to follow parliamentary rules and urged the Minority caucus to vacate the seats they had taken, restoring them to the Majority. He stressed that the Speaker’s actions had stirred a controversial situation that needed resolution within constitutional bounds.
“The council of state informed me that they have discussed the matter with the Speaker, and he has reportedly agreed to ensure that the Minority will relocate to their designated seats. This was the assurance given to us by the council. If the Speaker chooses to ignore this, what am I supposed to do?” Afenyo-Markin questioned.
He added, “Should I go sit in the Minority’s seat? Spiritually, that would be wrong, especially with just three weeks left to the election. That is not my place, and I won’t take that seat.”
“I won’t cross to the Minority side, spiritually align myself as one, and create confusion among my colleagues. No member of the NPP would do that,” he firmly declared.
The Majority Leader’s remarks come amid a situation where several Minority MPs took over seats typically reserved for the Majority during a recent parliamentary recall. This prompted a standoff, with Minority members urging the Majority caucus to return to Parliament and present their case.
Afenyo-Markin concluded by emphasizing, “The Speaker must do what is right and make sure the Minority is seated in their proper section.” He insisted that a proper resolution was needed to uphold Parliament’s integrity.
As the country awaits the Supreme Court’s final judgment, many are closely following these legal and political developments, which could significantly affect parliamentary processes and the balance of power among the Speaker, the Majority, and the Minority.
Source: MyABCLive.com (sourced from Citinewsroom.com)
