Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has firmly declared that the Majority caucus will never occupy Minority seats in Parliament, following a Supreme Court ruling that temporarily halted Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.
On Monday, November 12, Afenyo-Markin made this statement after the Supreme Court announced it would soon deliver a judgment on the contentious issue of the vacant seats. The matter has heightened political tensions, with a clear division between the Majority and Minority caucuses.
The dispute stems from Speaker Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant, citing constitutional violations by the MPs involved—Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central). Bagbin asserted that their actions justified their removal from office.
However, Afenyo-Markin and other Majority members argue that the Speaker exceeded his authority by making the declaration without judicial review or initiating by-elections. Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Afenyo-Markin called on Speaker Bagbin to uphold proper parliamentary procedures and urged him to direct the Minority caucus to vacate the Majority seats they have occupied.
“We will never take Minority seats, never,” Afenyo-Markin asserted. “If we take those seats, we will symbolically position the NPP caucus as the minority, which is unacceptable. It is the Minority’s responsibility to occupy their rightful seats.”
This declaration follows an incident where Minority MPs took seats designated for the Majority when Parliament was recalled, leading to a standoff. Minority members then challenged the Majority to defend their position on the matter.
Afenyo-Markin emphasized that Speaker Bagbin must ensure the Minority returns to their proper seats, stating that such a resolution is essential for preserving the integrity of Parliament.
As the Supreme Court’s final judgment is awaited, the situation remains tense, with potential implications for parliamentary procedures and the balance of power among the Speaker, the Majority, and the Minority.