- Speaker Alban Bagbin declares 4 parliamentary seats vacant
- Alexander Afenyo-Markin says Speaker exceeded authority
- NPP MPs boycott Parliament proceedings
The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticized Speaker Alban Bagbin, claiming that his recent actions are causing turmoil within the parliamentary chamber. This statement comes in the wake of Speaker Bagbin’s declaration on Thursday that four parliamentary seats are now vacant.
Afenyo-Markin argued that the Speaker overstepped his authority by making a constitutional interpretation that, he asserts, should be the prerogative of the Supreme Court. With the matter currently under review by the Apex Court, Afenyo-Markin indicated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs will be awaiting the court’s ruling before proceeding.
“We are in a state of total confusion; let’s allow the law to resolve this issue,” he stated during an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen program.
The recent ruling, which prevents four MPs from continuing to serve in their capacities, has resulted in a significant shift in the power dynamics within Parliament. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs will now hold a majority with 136 seats, while the NPP will become the minority with 135 seats.
The MPs affected by this ruling include Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah of the NDC for the Amenfi Central constituency, Andrew Amoako Asiamah of Fomena, Kojo Asante, the NPP MP for Suhum in the Eastern Region, and Cynthia Morrison of Agona West constituency.–
