A political showdown is unfolding within legislative chambers as National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament (MPs) took places on the “Majority” side of the House, flanked by their New Patriotic Party (NPP) counterparts.
The move came amidst an escalating controversy over vacant seats and a contested declaration of parliamentary majority.
The Minority side of the chamber stood conspicuously empty as NDC lawmakers asserted their presence on the traditionally opposite bench, signaling their intent to hold firm in the face of ongoing disputes.
Their decision to remain seated on the Majority side was stated to be contingent upon a request from Speaker Alban Bagbin for them to relocate.
Bagbin had earlier declared four seats vacant due to incumbent MPs seeking re-election on different party tickets in the December 7 election.
This pronouncement shifted the balance of power, recognizing the NDC as holding the parliamentary Majority. However, this assertion was challenged by the NPP, leading to the Supreme Court issuing a stay on the Speaker’s ruling.
In a separate development, Speaker Bagbin pushed back against circulating video propaganda aimed at impugning his integrity. Parliament denounced the misleading video insinuating negotiations between the Speaker and the President regarding the vacant seats declaration.
The official statement emphasized that the aforementioned video was mischaracterized and dated from an unrelated event, stressing the need to disregard attempts to tarnish the Speaker’s reputation and Parliament’s credibility.
By Nii Ocansey