Members of Parliament (MPs) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have abandoned the legislative chamber as they await a definite order from Speaker Alban Bagbin on seat occupancy and the status of the parliamentary majority.
The calm departure came amid a mounting stalemate between the NPP majority caucus and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), which currently holds the majority in Parliament following the Speaker’s contentious decision that four parliamentary seats had been vacated.
The Core of the Dispute
On October 17, Speaker Alban Bagbin declared the seats for Fomena, Amenfi Central, Suhum, and Agona West vacant, citing Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution, which concerns MPs who declare their intentions to contest as independents or under a different party banner.
This ruling came after Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson questioned the continued occupancy of these seats. The declaration significantly shifted the balance of power in Parliament, with the NDC asserting a 136-seat majority compared to the NPP’s 135 seats.
However, on October 18, the Supreme Court intervened following a suit filed by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, temporarily staying the Speaker’s ruling and allowing the affected MPs to continue their duties until the case is resolved.
Tensions Erupt in the Chamber
As Parliament reconvened on October 22, tensions reached a boiling point. NDC MPs, led by Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, occupied the majority side of the chamber, staking their claim as the new majority in the House.
The NPP MPs, however, refused to accept this and insisted that the Supreme Court’s intervention allows them to maintain their position on the majority side until a final legal decision is made.
Amidst this tension, Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh issued a stern warning, stating that the NPP caucus would do everything possible to defend its position in the chamber.
He also dismissed allegations by Minority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza that he was “smuggled” into the chamber early in the morning before the official opening time, brushing off the accusations as baseless.
In a show of frustration, NPP MPs led by its leadership chose to walk out of the chamber, demanding clear directives from Speaker Alban Bagbin on which party should occupy the majority side.
Their exit left the NDC MPs seated in the majority section, further escalating tensions between the two sides.
The Role of the Speaker
The situation now hinges on Speaker Bagbin’s next move. The Speaker has been at the centre of the controversy, with his initial declaration of the vacant seats sparking the parliamentary deadlock.
The NPP caucus is awaiting his definitive ruling on the matter, which could have significant implications for the legislative process and the balance of power ahead of the 2024 elections.
NPP MPs argue that the Supreme Court’s ruling should allow them to continue occupying the majority side, while the NDC insists that the Speaker’s declaration remains valid until the case is fully heard and decided in court.
Growing Public Interest
The parliamentary standoff has drawn widespread public attention, with many Ghanaians eagerly watching to see how the situation unfolds.
The chamber walkout by the NPP MPs, coupled with the legal battle over the vacant seats, has heightened the stakes in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.
Political analysts have warned that if the issue is not resolved swiftly, it could lead to further divisions within the House, affecting key legislative processes and heightening tensions between the two major political parties.
As of now, all eyes are on Speaker Alban Bagbin as he prepares to issue his ruling on the matter. Until then, the NPP MPs have made it clear that they will not return to the chamber unless a resolution is reached, leaving the House in a state of uncertainty.
