The Minority caucus in Parliament has asserted that it now holds the majority position following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to adjourn the House indefinitely on Tuesday, October 22.
The adjournment followed a tense session, during which Speaker Bagbin cited a lack of sufficient Members of Parliament (MPs) to proceed with business. The current parliamentary deadlock arises from Bagbin’s recent declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.
This decision was based on a motion filed by Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Forson, invoking constitutional provisions regarding MPs who had either switched political parties or were running as independents. The affected seats include those of MPs from Fomena, Suhum, Agona West, and Amenfi Central.
Although the Supreme Court issued a stay on the Speaker’s ruling, temporarily preventing the seats from being vacated, the Minority has maintained that the Speaker’s decision has shifted the balance of power in their favor.
In an interview with Vivian Kai Lokko on Channel One TV, Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga reinforced the Minority’s stance, stating that the Speaker’s ruling stands and that National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs would not yield to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) until the decision is reversed.
Ayariga confirmed that the Minority would comply with the Speaker’s directive to adjourn Parliament and return to their constituencies, awaiting a new date for Parliament to reconvene. He emphasized that they will continue to regard themselves as the majority until the issue is fully resolved.
“We’re the Majority [NDC Minority],” Ayariga stated. “The Speaker hasn’t set aside his directive. So far as we’re concerned, the Speaker’s communication on the numbers in the House still stands. We consider ourselves the Majority and will act accordingly.”
Ayariga dismissed concerns that the parliamentary standoff would harm Ghanaians, arguing that it would not hinder essential government business. He further criticized the government for its economic mismanagement, suggesting there was no urgent business that could change the current suffering of the people.
Earlier in the day, heightened security measures were in place as the Majority MPs walked out, leaving the Minority behind, further intensifying the standoff between the two sides.