The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to support its embattled member of Parliament for Assin North James Gyakye Quayson.
According to the party, it is ready to support him to reclaim the constituency’s parliamentary seat when a bye-election is conducted.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Parliament to expunge the name of Mr Gyakye Quayson from its records.
The ruling followed a case brought before the Apex Court, invoking its original jurisdiction to examine the constitutionality of James Gyakye Quayson’s election.
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James Gyakye Quayson had been accused of holding dual citizenship prior to the 2020 election, an allegation he vehemently denied.
A statement by the NDC and signed by General Secretary Fifi Kwetey assured the entire party and the Minority caucus in Parliament will support the Assin North MP in the impending by-election.
The statement said, “The full weight of the party, including the Minority Caucus in Parliament, will be put behind Honourable Quayson so as to ensure an even more resounding victory for him in the upcoming bye-election.
Background
In November 2020, a group calling itself ‘Concerned Citizens of Assin North petitioned the Electoral Commission in the Central Region to withdraw the candidature of Mr Quayson, arguing that he owes allegiance to Canada.
James Gyakye Quayson, who stood on the ticket of the NDC as its 2020 parliamentary candidate in the Assin North constituency polled 17,498 votes representing (55.21%) while Abena Durowaa Mensah, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate had 14,193 representing (44.79%).
Michael Ankomah-Nimfah, a teacher and resident of Yamoransa in the Central Region, subsequently filed a petition at the Cape Coast High Court after the election seeking to annul the declaration of Mr. Quayson as the MP Assin North.
The Cape Coast High Court in the Central Region upheld Mr. Akomah-Nimfah’s request and declared the 2020 parliamentary election held in the Assin North Constituency as null and void because Mr Quayson breached the provisions of the constitution with regard to dual citizenship.