Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has asserted that the Majority caucus will not occupy Minority seats in Parliament, following a Supreme Court ruling that halted Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.

Speaking on Monday, November 11, Afenyo-Markin addressed the issue, which has heightened political tensions between the Majority and Minority caucuses. The Supreme Court is set to deliver a final judgment on the matter on Tuesday, November 12.

The dispute began when Speaker Bagbin declared the seats of four MPs – Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central) – vacant. Bagbin justified the move by citing alleged constitutional violations by the MPs. However, Afenyo-Markin and other Majority members argue that the Speaker lacked the constitutional authority to make such a declaration without judicial review or ordering by-elections.

Calling on Speaker Bagbin to adhere to parliamentary protocol, Afenyo-Markin urged him to direct the Minority caucus to return seats they had occupied when Parliament was recalled. He also pointed to discussions with the Council of State, who he said had assured him that Speaker Bagbin had agreed to ask the Minority to resume their assigned seats.

“The Council of State informed me that Speaker Bagbin acknowledged the situation and gave assurances that the Minority would return to their seats. But if the Speaker decides otherwise, should I sit on the Minority side?” Afenyo-Markin asked. “Spiritually, this isn’t right. I’m a Majority Leader, and I will not move to the Minority side. It’s simply not my place, and no NPP member will do that.”

Source:TheDotNews