'I was wrong' – Walewale MP withdraws 'rude' remark, apologises to Speaker Bagbin

The Member of Parliament for Walewale, Dr Kabiru Tiah Mahama, has apologised to Speaker Alban Bagbin and withdrawn his earlier description of the Speaker’s decision to recall Parliament as “rude”.

The MP’s apology came after Speaker Bagbin took issue with the comment during Parliament’s emergency sitting on September 29, 2026, and reminded lawmakers of the need to maintain respect for the institution and the office of the Speaker.

Addressing the House, Bagbin said MPs had the right to disagree with and criticise his decisions but warned that such criticism should not cross into language that could be seen as disrespectful to Parliament or the Speaker.

“A member may criticise the Speaker’s judgment in exercising it, but criticism of the exercise of a constitutional or procedural function should not descend into language which is disrespectful of the office through which that function is exercised,” he said.

The Speaker said his decision to recall Parliament was made in accordance with Order 58(4) of the Standing Orders after President John Dramani Mahama formally requested the House to sit and deliberate on specified urgent matters.

According to him, while MPs remained free to question parliamentary decisions and challenge procedures they disagreed with, their objections had to be communicated in a manner that preserved the dignity of Parliament and the democratic institutions it represents.

Bagbin subsequently directed Dr Tiah Mahama to withdraw the “rude” description and offer an apology to both the House and the Speaker.

Responding to the directive, the Walewale MP admitted that he had used the word during a press conference but said he had misunderstood its meaning at the time.

“Even though I thought the meaning to mean sadly and unpleasantly, as my dictionary told me, but I was wrong, Mr Speaker. And I would withdraw that word unreservedly, and I apologise for saying that,” he said.

“Even though I thought the meaning to mean sadly and unpleasantly, as my dictionary told me, but I was wrong, Mr. Speaker. And I would withdraw that word unreservedly, and I apologise for saying that.”

— Dr Kabiru Tiah Mahama, Walewale MP withdraws his description of Speaker… pic.twitter.com/1guHgO76na

— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) September 29, 2026