Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr. Rashid Dramani, has intimated that the division between the NPP and NDC is “spilling” into the Speaker of Parliament’s office.
Commenting on the recent tension between the Speaker of Parliament and the first deputy Speaker of Parliament, he described the situation as “sad”.
“It’s very sad because what we are seeing is that, it looks like the division between the NDC and the NPP is spilling into the office of the Speaker.”
Dr. Rashid Dramani
Dr. Dramani disclosed that he has never witnessed the current tension between the Speakers in any Parliament on the African continent. He explained that the parties always disagree but usually, the Speaker and its deputies are mostly united.
“In some countries, they even have about 5 to 6 Deputy Speakers and they don’t have the kind of confusion that we have.”
Dr. Rashid Dramani
Dr. Dramani touching on what has to be done differently averred that, the steps the Speaker has taken to resolve things with his deputies, is in the right direction.
“The Speaker said he was not going to reverse whatever his deputy did which I think is a good thing. So, let’s wait and see what mechanisms he is going to put in place and hopefully, maybe, that will change the way things are done in the House.”
Dr. Rashid Dramani
Dr. Dramani stated that the current challenge in Parliament has got to do with the impact the MPs’ disagreements in the House is having on the Speakers office. According to him, the Speaker’s office is an institution of the Republic and its sanctity must be protected so that a bad precedence is not set.
“Maybe in future, you might have somebody who is from the other side and then some of these happenings could be cited as precedence that has happened in the 8th Parliament. That gives the indication for other people to do something else.”
Dr. Rashid Dramani
Dr. Dramani stated that the Speaker’s stance in finding an amicable way of working with his deputies is not a late call. He stated that if the nation doesn’t see to the correction of the happenings between the Speakers, it will not move in a straight path.
“One would approve the motion and another one will come and disapprove it and nothing really gets done. And then when the four years come, this Parliament will not be credited with anything positive it has done for our Republic. That’s the danger.”
Dr. Rashid Dramani
MPs needed in resolving Parliament tension
The ACEPA Director advised the Members of Parliament that, if they do not help put things in check in the House, whatever happens will not affect just one party but all.
“They might not like each other, but they were hired to work for the country. So, they have to fashion out a way to work with each other and get some work done.”
Dr. Rashid Dramani
Dr. Dramani indicated that CSO’s and eminent persons in the country have a very important role to play in ensuring the parliamentary activities are well carried out. He further disclosed that some work is being done in that regard.
“So, hopefully, we can see some better way of running our politics then we can have our Parliament working again.”
Dr. Rashid Dramani
The ACEPA Director asserted that the Political temperature is too high and as such nothing should be taken for granted.
“So, the earlier we try and find a way, the better. Because, at the end of the day, Parliamentarians will have to sit and work with each other for the democracy that we are choosing for ourselves.”
Dr. Rashid Dramani
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