The Member of Parliament for Adaklu, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus will assume the majority position when Parliament reconvenes on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
Referencing Article 97 of the 1992 Constitution, Agbodza argued that it legitimises the vacant seats, supporting his claim to take up the position.
According to a report by citinewsroom.com, he made these remarks at Adaklu Ahunda in the Volta Region during a recent tour by the NDC’s running mate, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
"I do not intend to be called Minority Leader in 2024, and that will not happen. I will be going to Parliament on Thursday as Majority Chief Whip, and I will come back as Majority Chief Whip. Whoever doesn’t like it, can do whatever he or she likes. As far as I am concerned, the four colleagues have actually vacated their seats in accordance with Article 97.
“And since they are not going to renege on that decision not to contest, they are no longer valid Members of Parliament", he stated.
The Speaker’s action follows his summons for Parliament to reconvene, in line with Article 112 (3) of the Constitution.
This session was called after a request from the NPP caucus on October 23, 2024, emphasising the need to address pressing national matters such as tax exemptions under the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative, a $250 million allocation to the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, and six crucial bills, including the Environmental Protection Agency Bill, the Budget Bill, and the Intestate Succession Bill.
In their memorandum, the NPP caucus pointed out that Parliament’s recent adjournment left several urgent issues unresolved due to controversies surrounding the vacant seats of the four MPs.
Despite the Speaker’s ruling on the vacant seats, the Supreme Court has issued a restraining order halting its immediate enforcement.
JKB/KA
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