Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has addressed the controversy surrounding the Speaker of Parliament’s recent ruling, which declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
The ruling was triggered by the affected Members of Parliament’s decision to either switch political parties or run as independent candidates in the upcoming December 2024 elections.
In an interview on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on Monday, October 21, 2024, Afenyo-Markin argued that these actions reflect the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) growing anxiety over its electoral prospects.
He cited various polls and research that both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and NDC have access to, suggesting that the NPP is on track to secure a substantial majority in Parliament in December.
Afenyo-Markin contended that the Speaker’s ruling and the NDC’s response were attempts to destabilise the NPP and distract Ghanaians in the lead-up to the general elections.
He pointed to the Ghanaian Constitution, particularly Articles 97 and 99, to clarify that the power to declare seats vacant lies with the High Court, not Parliament.
He stressed that constitutional interpretation is a matter for the courts and not within the Speaker’s authority.
According to him, while the Speaker acknowledged this legal limitation, his ruling still raised concerns about the integrity of his decision-making.
Afenyo-Markin stressed that the Speaker had assured the majority that he would not rush his decision but proceeded to rule in a way that many viewed as biased.
The Majority Leader suggested this could be seen as evidence of collusion between the Speaker and the NDC minority caucus.
Despite these developments, he emphasised the NPP’s commitment to respecting the Court’s eventual ruling.
He underscored the importance of seeking clarity through the judicial system and praised the Supreme Court’s decision to issue a stay of execution on the Speaker’s ruling.
The Court, he noted, indicated that the affected MPs were not given a fair opportunity to defend themselves—a crucial element of justice.
Confident that the Court’s decision would validate the NPP’s stance and uphold the rule of law, Afenyo-Markin called on NPP supporters to remain vigilant against any efforts by the NDC to incite chaos or derail the party’s momentum ahead of the December elections.
