The Majority New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Parliament has declared the position it took against the MP for Assin North Constituency holding himself as a member of the House has been vindicated.
The Member, the Majority argued, was invalidly elected and finally, the court of proper jurisdiction has made a ruling confirming what the side had all along insisted on.
Majority Whip, Frank Annor-Dompreh who addressed the media following the ruling of the Cape Coast High Court on the matter recollected that before the MPs-elect were sworn in to be part of the 8th Parliament, the status of the Assin North member had been a huge issue in the Chamber.
He said, “We raised the issue of eligibility related to the then Assin North Member of Parliament-elect.”
“If you recall, there were dramatic representations, even from our side. We had questioned the implication of the decision for the member to sit and be part of that decision making.”
“Today we have been vindicated because from day one, we had made our point abundantly clear. The member was invalidly elected. Lo and behold, a court of proper jurisdiction has come to make a ruling,” he added.
Mr. Annor-Dompreh took a jab at the Minority who had argued the ruling of the court was a travesty and a plot to rob a seat of the Minority for the ruling government.
According to him, as law-abiding citizens, the Minority leader and his charges need to file a review or go for an appeal if dissatisfied with the ruling of the court.
“Don’t bring the executive into this. We have built our country to the extent that we need to respect separation of power and the Minority leader is part of the legislative arm of government, the court is part of the judiciary.”
“So if there is a court ruling and you don’t agree, you don’t go out and organize a press conference on the spur of the moment and start throwing jabs at executives.”
“I think they are getting confused and I can understand that because they have been blown off their feet.”
“But for us, it has only justified our claim at the initial stages, so we will advise the Minority if they have any basis to expect a ruling otherwise, all they need to do is subject themselves to the process and let’s see what will happen from the law court, but this is much ado about nothing,” he stated.
The Whip expressed sympathy for the minority and indicated he understands the matter has unsettled the side.
He, however, stressed had the side reflected deeply, especially on the day of the swearing-in they would have realized the opposition NDC was going on a wild goose chase.
He charged the Minority leader to respect the sanctity of the law court and advised when there is a decision from the courts, all should subject themselves to due process and appeal when dissatisfied with a ruling.
The Minority had earlier described the ruling as a travesty and argued justice must not only be done but must manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.
Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, expressed worry that the courts may have been captured and have become forums being used surreptitiously to tilt the balance of power.
According to him, Quayson Gyakye won the Assin North constituency Parliamentary election outright as a citizen born and bred in that community but sojourned to Canada subsequently.
The MP, he said, had renounced his Canadian citizenship and expressly so as far back as 2019 and got his certificate at least before the elections.
According to him, the Minority is unfazed by the judge’s decision and expressed confidence the seat will remain an NDC seat.
Source: MyPublisher24.com