Dela Coffie, a seasoned NDC activist, has strongly criticized the ruling New Patriotic Party Caucus in Parliament’s decision to involve the Supreme Court in what he termed “parliamentary partisan politics”, describing it as a misstep that has left the party in a vulnerable position.
His remarks, delivered with a sharp focus on political strategy, painted the ongoing parliamentary standoff as a game of chess in which the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin holds the upper hand.
He further pointed out that despite any efforts by the NPP to recall Parliament, the Speaker has the discretionary power to rule on the conduciveness of parliamentary business, which could lead to further adjournments.
“As it stands now, all the NDC have to do upon the recall of parliament is to play some mischief to get the Speaker to rule that condition in the house is not conducive enough for parliamentary business, and get yet another indefinite adjournment”.
Dela Coffie, NDC Activist
Dela Coffie further pointed out that while the NPP may be trying to play a quick game of “checkers” by seeking the intervention of the judiciary, the Speaker of Parliament is engaged in a more sophisticated “chess” game, outmanoeuvring them at every turn.
According to him, this strategic mismatch could result in prolonged paralysis of government business, urging the NPP to reconsider its approach.
“The NPP needs to stop being belligerent and find a smart way of dealing with this impasse in the spirit of cooperation and consensus,” Dela Coffie warned.
Missteps at the Supreme Court
Adding to Dela Coffie’s critique of the ruling New Patriotic Party’s legal strategy, Alfred Ogbamey, a leading Member of the opposition National Democratic Congress and former media practitioner, weighed in with a more legalistic assessment.
His focus was on what he described as the ruling New Patriotic Party’s improper invocation of the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction in their parliamentary dispute, suggesting that the court’s involvement may have violated core legal principles.
Alfred Ogbamey emphasized that numerous legal experts, including lawyers and former judges, have criticized the Supreme Court for entering what should have been a strictly parliamentary matter.
“Many lawyers and former judges have criticized the Supreme Court for what they argue amount to violations of legal precepts, rules, regulations and an error in assuming jurisdiction in the case by the NPP parliamentary group led by Afenyo-Markin.
“In the words of some, the Supreme Court’s inherent or supervisory jurisdiction had not been properly invoked in the matter and it should have, therefore, declined the invitation to enter into the arena of partisan political conflicts within Parliament.”
Alfred Ogbamey, a Member of the NDC and former Media Practitioner
This, he argued, should have prompted the apex court to decline to intervene, as it has been dragged into a political conflict that falls outside its remit.
He further questioned the NPP’s representation of certain MPs, particularly those whom the party had sacked per the party’s constitutional provision.
In a scathing critique, Alfred Ogbamey pointed to a constitutional incongruity, questioning whether the NPP could claim membership for MPs it had dismissed in line with its own constitution.
“Can a political party that has automatically dismissed members in line with its own constitution have the capacity to represent or misrepresent the dismissed members as members on issues before the court?”
Alfred Ogbamey, a Member of the NDC and former Media Practitioner
Alfred Ogbamey also hinted at deeper concerns about the impartiality of the court’s ruling, noting that one of the judges involved was a former NPP parliamentary candidate, appointed to the court in 2023 by President Akufo-Addo.
This, he implied, could raise questions about the independence of the judiciary in politically charged cases, adding to the NDC’s broader criticisms of the court’s decision-making process.
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