General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has expressed the party’s readiness to contest the Assin North Parliamentary seat when a determination is made on the substantive case filed against MP for the constituency, James Gyakye Quayson, at the Supreme Court.
Mr Boadu indicated that per the “arrangement and by decisions of the court”, the NPP is certain that the litigation will come to an end very soon and result in a bye-election. With this, he questioned the essence of having somebody who is not a legitimate representative of a constituency.
“… So, as for Assin North we’re ready for it, that’s why we are a political party. We’re ready for it and we believe that when the decision is made, we’re ready to contest. It’s a seat we’ve won severally; it’s a seat we’ve lost twice as well, so it is still open.”
John Boadu
Mr Boadu stated that despite being confident of a victory for the NPP, he is concerned about how long the entire process is taking at the Supreme Court. Nonetheless, he noted that he is assured that before the 2024 elections, the judiciary will ensure the election petition process for Parliamentary elections will be undertaken as it has done for Presidential elections.
“My worry is that, you realize that after the 2012 elections, the judiciary itself took a decision to rationalize the petition arrangement,, only that they didn’t touch that of the Parliamentary. They did that for presidential, gave a time limit and period and the process and all that. I am hoping that before 2024, that of Parliamentary will also be done… because there are a lot of issues in court that can take three years, that can [also] take four years.”
John Boadu
Three NPP MPs ‘charged’ for absenteeism
Meanwhile, the NPP General Secretary has expressed optimism that the three Members of Parliament: Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo; Ayawaso Central MP, Henry Quartey and Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, who have been hauled before the Privileges Committee by the Speaker after breaching the 15-day absence rule in Parliament, will be cleared.
Mr Boadu highlighted that all three involved had sought permission from the appropriate authorities prior to absenting themselves from the House. He explained that, even in spite of the fact that they went contrary to the 15-day absence rule, he reckons they had justifiable reasons.
“I don’t think the party will have any other position than to canvass the position [on] the fact that all of them sought permission before staying outside. They did. And I know they also know. Because I have heard statement to the effect that for instance in Adwoa Safo’s case, the son needed a surgery or something and that ensured she has to stay further than she agreed to stay.”
John Boadu
Mr Boadu revealed that in a democratic setting, there’s the need for legislators to set examples, as such for any parliamentarian, he or she must be conversant with the rules, and abide by them. In light of this, he explained that if there are instances where there’s the need for an MP to seek permission before he leaves, it should be done. That notiwithstanding, he noted that as a party he believes the outcome of the judgement from the privileges committee is“ not something that’s going to affect us greatly.”
“It is good the process is being tested, and for us as a party, whatever the outcome, we’ll embrace it and work with it.”
John Boadu
