The Member of Parliament for Tamale South and former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu has strongly criticized the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) response to Speaker Alban Bagbin’s recent declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.
Drawing on historical precedent, Hon. Iddrisu questioned the inconsistency of the NPP’s position, pointing to a similar incident in 2020 when the Honorable Andrew Asiamah Amoako opted out of the NPP to run as an independent candidate.
According to him, at the time, then-Speaker Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye declared Hon. Asiamah’s seat vacant, a move that he noted the NPP fully supported. Hon. Iddrisu thus expressed shock over the ruling party’s opposition to a similar decision when it no longer suits their political interests.
“What is the different now? Has the NPP constitution changed since 2020 OR has that particular provision changed, no, so in one breath when it suits them it serves them when it does not suit them is wrong law”.
Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and former Minority Leader
He further emphasized that the law has not been altered, and the NPP’s objection to Speaker Bagbin’s ruling, which mirrors past practices, reflects a politicization of legal procedures.
Supreme Court Role
Hon. Haruna also Iddrisu stressed the importance of the Supreme Court’s role in this political and constitutional matter, urging them to provide a timely and conclusive interpretation of Articles 97(1 g&h) of the Constitution.
According to Hon. Iddrisu, a definitive interpretation is critical to resolving the ongoing constitutional tussle and ensuring smooth governance.
He called for judicial clarity on the issue, stating, “The Supreme Court has a mandate to interpret the Constitution, and it’s important that this issue is settled once and for all so that the governance of our country can proceed.”
Despite his acknowledgement for judicial intervention, the National Democratic Congress lawmaker noted that judicial interference in the workings of Parliament must be limited.
He argued that Parliament should have the autonomy to regulate its own procedures and that once a seat is declared vacant, the composition of Parliament should adjust accordingly, including changes in leadership, committee chairmanships, and rankings.
Addressing claims that two NPP members who had earlier decided to run as independent candidates were now reconsidering their decision, Hon. Iddrisu asserted that this reversal does not negate the constitutional requirement for them to vacate their seats.
Hon Haruna pointed out that even in any instance, the two candidates decided to reverse their earlier position to run as independent candidates in the upcoming elections, it would not absolve them of the consequences of their actions.
“Whether they deny it or not, the principle of automaticity applies. It does not save them from the requirement of vacating their position,” he insisted.
Vacancy of Members Parliament
Crucially, the former Minority Leader, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu argued that it is not the Speaker’s role to declare seats vacant. Instead, he believes that the Constitution itself imposes the obligation on the individual members of Parliament to vacate their seats if they opt to contest as independent candidates.
“The wording of Article 97 is clear, A member of Parliament shall vacate his seat’—the responsibility is embedded in that member of Parliament to vacate. It is not for the Speaker to declare the seat vacant. It is deemed vacant once that member swears an oath to contest as an independent candidate or vice versa”.
Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and former Minority Leader
He further highlighted that all members who have filed nominations to contest as independents had effectively abandoned the political party that originally elected them into Parliament, a move which, in Hon Iddrisu’s view, undermines the country’s democratic process.
“When they took that oath to contest as independent candidates, they departed from the party that brought them to Parliament. This behaviour of defection threatens to weaken our democracy, and that’s why such a constitutional provision exists—to protect the integrity of our democratic system.”
Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and former Minority Leader
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu concluded by accusing the Supreme Court’s ruling, along with the actions of the executive and the NPP’s leadership in Parliament led by Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin, of undermining Ghana’s democracy.
In his view, the current situation represents a significant threat to democratic principles and could have long-term consequences for the country’s governance.
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