Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon ASK Bagbin has described President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s commentary on the ruling of the Supreme Court as ‘myopic and unfortunate’.
The Court’s ruling, he said, is not only absurd but also a reckless incursion into the remit of Parliament.
According to the Speaker, he has resisted the temptation of making a comment on the Supreme Court ruling but the President’s comment has compelled him to come out.
A ruling of the apex court ordered Deputy Speakers of Parliament to take part in a vote while presiding over proceedings in the House.
This has, however, drawn varied reactions from a section of the populace including President Akufo-Addo who insisted Parliament is not beyond the scrutiny of the Supreme Court.
Speaker Alban Bagbin, in a sharp rebuttal, however, described the Supreme Court’s pronouncement as troubling and encouraged the plaintiff in the case to seek judicial review.
In a statement issued on Friday, March 11, 2022 the Speaker wrote: “I have resisted the temptation of making a comment on the judgment of the Supreme Court on the issue of the voting rights of Deputy Speakers when presiding. But the unfortunate and myopic comment of the President has compelled me to let it out. The SC decision is, to say the least, not only an absurdity but a reckless incursion into the remit of Parliament.”
“The trend of unanimity is equally troubling. It doesn’t help explore and expand our legal jurisprudence. The President’s comment is myopic and unfortunate. It only goes to worsen the schism between the Executive and Parliament. The impartiality of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker or Presiding Officer has been treasured and fought for by this country throughout our democratic development.”
“Mr President, the issue being discussed is not about Parliament being above the law. Everyone knows that Parliament is not above the law. The Executive and the Judiciary are equally not above the law. The issue being discussed is the political question doctrine. It took centuries to detail out the strands of this doctrine and the principles are settled as to when and how this closed book could be opened.”
“Please, I encourage the Plaintiff to go for a review,” he added.