Minority to file motion for the removal of speaker of parliament

Minority Chief Whip Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka has hinted that they may be compelled to file a motion for the removal of the speaker of Parliament Professor Mike Oquaye.

Speaking on Joy News on Thursday, the Asawase lawmaker observed that the conduct of the speaker towards the minority is a smack of dictatorship.

According to him, if it persists they have no option but to file a motion in the house for his removal; indicating that parliament requires the contributions of both sides in order for government business to progress.

In his view, this is not the first time the speaker has exhibited bias towards the minority in violation of the standing orders of the house.

He observed that disrespect by the Speaker to him and the Minority Leader is enough testimony that he has become “dictatorial.”

There was fracas in Parliament on Thursday when the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu was not recognized by the speaker when he rose to speak during the passage of the Special Petroleum Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

When finally he was given the opportunity to speak, Haruna Iddrisu vented his spleen on the speaker saying:” “I am sad the way you have treated me as Minority Leader. I stood up before the Majority Leader. You owe me that courtesy and that respect. You cannot even after hearing him, you were still not decided whether to hear me or not.

“..May I draw your attention to Order 130 and why I was on my feet. I am within the rules and within the Standing Orders and you must respect the Standing Orders…”

“You owe me every duty and every standard of care to hear me on this. Mr. Speaker you are chair of this House and you must hold us together. I don’t want to ever disrespect you but if you invite me, I will.”