In a desperate attempt to overtake the New Patriotic Party, NPP, Majority position in Parliament, which has been foiled by the Supreme Court, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament have announced their decision to boycott parliamentary proceedings until after the December 7 elections.
This comes on the heels of the Supreme Court’s ruling that declared Speaker Alban Bagbin’s assertion of four vacan seats unconstitutional.
Controversy
The dispute began when Bagbin declared four seats vacant, affecting MPs Cynthia Mamle Morrison, Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah, Kwadjo Asante, and Andrew Asiamah Amoako.
Three of these MPs are contesting the December elections as independent candidates, while Amoako has rejoined the NPP.
NDC’s Stance
According to Nii Lante Vanderpuye, MP for Odododiodoo, the NDC caucus is focused on election preparations and will not be distracted by parliamentary proceedings.
He lamented that the Minority caucus is focused on preparations for the upcoming election and will not be distracted.
“They [the Majority] should not waste taxpayers’ money by asking us to come to Parliament in the next three weeks. We are not coming. We are concerned about the elections, and we shall only return to Parliament after the elections. That should be at the back of their minds,” he said in an interview on Accra-based Channel One TV.
“We are not coming back to Parliament until after the elections,” he stated.
Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court’s 5-2 majority decision overturned Speaker Bagbin’s declaration, sparking controversy. Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin hopes for a recall of Parliament, but Nii Lante emphasizes that the Minority’s presence will be determined by the election’s outcome.
Power Struggle
This development highlights the ongoing power struggle between the NDC and NPP.
Nii Lante stressed that the Minority’s status will be determined by parliamentary numbers, not the Supreme Court or NPP.
Nii Lante has stated that it is not for the Supreme Court or the NPP to decide which party forms the Minority or Majority in the House.
“We want them to understand one fact: as far as we are concerned, issues about the Minority or Majority are determined by the numbers in the House. So when we resume, the numbers will tell whether we are the Majority or they are the Majority. This is not about the Supreme Court,” he said.
“It is not for the NPP or the Supreme Court to define for us who is the Majority or Minority in Ghana’s Parliament. We have our own procedures for determining who is the Majority and who is the Minority. When they were declared Majority by Speaker Bagbin, did they go to the Supreme Court to seek that declaration?” he questioned.
Implications
The boycott raises concerns about parliamentary productivity and the potential for further tensions.
