The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has challenged the Minority in Parliament to pursue a legal course if they believe they have a solid case regarding the recent parliamentary dispute.
His remarks follow the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the execution of Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling, which had declared the seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant.
The Speaker’s ruling, made after a motion by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, invoked constitutional provisions that mandate MPs who seek to run as independent candidates to vacate their seats.
The affected MPs—Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central)—were declared to have breached these provisions by either switching political affiliations or indicating their intention to run as independents in the upcoming election.
In response, the Majority staged a walkout from Parliament, protesting the Speaker’s ruling as unconstitutional and unfair.
Ahead of the Speaker’s ruling on Thursday, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin took urgent legal action, filing with the Supreme Court on Tuesday, October 15, to seek clarification on the status of the four MPs, who had decided to contest the upcoming December 2024 elections either as members of the NPP or as independent candidates.
On Friday, Afenyo-Markin also filed for a stay of execution of the Speaker’s ruling. In response, the Supreme Court’s stay order temporarily suspends any actions related to the ruling, including the declaration of the seats as vacant.
Addressing the media on Friday, October 18, after the Supreme Court ruling, Afenyo-Markin expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating that it reaffirmed the legal rights of the MPs and, by extension, the democratic representation of their constituents.
He emphasized that the Majority had presented a strong legal case and were confident in their position.
“The court has determined the matter and has ordered the parties to file the necessary processes for the final determination of the matter. That is it. So we expect our colleagues and all those involved in this matter to respect the law, including the right honourable speaker.”
“We are democrats. We don’t believe in violence. We don’t believe in mischief and unnecessary political chaos. We came to court believing that the court would do right and indeed the court has just done it. The rights of those MPs have been reinforced, as well as the rights of those constituents who elected them.
“I will leave the Ghanaian public to peruse the full ruling of the court and then the discussions can continue. I will leave the Ghanaian public to peruse the full ruling of the court, and then discussions can continue.
“Those NDC people who are walking about claiming to be [Majority}, if they know the law, they should now face us in the law.”