NDC unlawfully removed our name tags from the Majority side - Alexander Afenyo-Markin

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus in Parliament has raised serious allegations against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs.

Addressing the media after the Speaker indefinitely suspended parliamentary proceedings, the leader of the NPP caucus, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, claimed that NDC MPs unlawfully removed their name tags from the Majority side after clerks had placed them.

“We inspected the chamber this morning, and the clerk had diligently arranged our name tags where they should be. The NDC MPs came and physically removed them," Afenyo-Markin stated.

"With the greatest respect, I ask my friends in the media to help shape opinions on this issue."

"They came in and unlawfully removed our name tags, pulled their chairs to our place, and sat on our seats. I was watching the cameras from my office," he added.

Background

Controversy arose after the Supreme Court stayed the Speaker's decision to declare four seats vacant, following the affected MPs' decision to "cross the carpet" by filing to contest the December 7, 2024, parliamentary elections in different capacities—either as independents or on the tickets of other political parties. This action diverges from the basis on which these MPs were originally elected to the House.

The affected seats include those held by Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).

Both sides of the House are now locked in a battle over which party holds the Majority, as the Supreme Court ruling positions the NDC in the Minority while the Speaker's ruling places the NPP in the Minority.

The core contention centres on whether the Supreme Court has the authority to restrict parliamentary decisions.

MAG/OGB

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