We Expect Speaker Bagbin, NDC To Accept Outcome – Afenyo-Markin



The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on Speaker Alban Bagbin and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to respect the Supreme Court's judgement.

This comes after, the apex court in a 5-2 majority decision, declared the Speaker of Parliament’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant as unconstitutional.

Interacting with the press after the ruling, Mr Afenyo-Markin emphasised the importance of upholding democratic principles and respecting the rule of law.

“This is a moment for all of us to rally around the choice we made in 1992 democracy. Democracy requires decency, and that is the path the NPP majority caucus took to ensure that we do right to the law.

“we want nothing more except to say that we expect our colleagues on the other side [NDC], including Mr Speaker, to respect the outcome of this case so that we'll move on as a nation,” he said on Tuesday.

The Efutu MP further highlighted Ghana’s democratic reputation across Africa.

According to him, “All we have is the peace of the country. All we have is our democracy. And in West Africa and in Africa as a whole, Ghana shines in the eyes of the people in terms of democracy.”

He also described the Court’s as a "feat" in Ghana’s democratic journey that all sides should honor.

The Majority Leader dismissed suggestions of partisan conflict, stating that the ruling was a matter of constitutional interpretation, not an NPP versus NDC issue.

“… It's a matter of constitutional interpretation, and the court has given its verdict. We should all respect it and move on,” he insisted.

On Thursday, October 17, Speaker Bagbin declared four vacant parliamentary seats —three held by the NPP and one by the NDC—were vacant, shifting the balance of power in Parliament.

With the NDC claiming 136 seats and the NPP reduced to 135, the NDC quickly asserted itself as the new majority.

However, on Friday, October 18, the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on Speaker Bagbin’s decision, ruling that the four MPs must be allowed to continue representing their constituencies until the court reaches a final decision.

Despite the court's ruling, the NDC caucus has refused to relinquish its newly claimed majority status.

After sitting to hear all parties, the Supreme Court earlier today, ruled that Speaker Bagbin's declaration was unconstitutional.

Credit: Ama Cromwell 
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