The National Democratic Congress (NDC) majority in Parliament has come out strongly in defense of Speaker Alban Bagbin, who has faced intense scrutiny from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regarding his recent rulings on parliamentary matters.
Addressing the media in Parliament, the Deputy Majority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, asserted that Speaker Bagbin’s actions were in full compliance with the law and the Constitution.
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim emphasized that the Speaker’s decisions were not arbitrary but were based on the clear provisions of the Constitution regarding the automatic cessation of parliamentary membership in certain circumstances.
“The notice of poll by the Electoral Commission is out, and the pictures of those four MPs are there. They have changed their status, and based on that, there is automatic cessation.”
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim NDC Deputy Majority Whip
He further elaborated on the constitutional implications for MPs who switch parties during their tenure in Parliament, stating that a member must maintain allegiance to the party under whose ticket they were elected until the end of their term.
“If you listen to the Constitution very well, a member of Parliament shall vacate his seat if he leaves the party upon whose ticket he came to Parliament. So, at the time of Kwadjo Asante’s election to Parliament, he was an NPP member, and therefore, he must remain an NPP member until January 6, 2025.”
“At the time Appiah Andy Asiamah was filing his nomination in 2021, he came as an independent member for Fomena. And therefore, within a four-year mandate, his status must not change.”
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim NDC Deputy Majority Whip
Protecting the Loyalty of MPs to Their Constituencies
In defending Speaker Bagbin’s ruling, Ahmed Ibrahim underscored the importance of protecting the loyalty of MPs to their constituencies, as enshrined in the Constitution.
He argued that if an MP changes party allegiance during their tenure, their loyalty to their constituents comes into question, and their right to remain in Parliament should be reconsidered.
“The Speaker says that article was put into the Constitution to be able to protect the loyalty of members of Parliament to their constituents. So, if you have come and changed your loyalty, should they still allow you to be there?”
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim NDC Deputy Majority Whip
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim added that the Constitution is clear on the matter and does not require further interpretation from experts.
“We don’t need to belabor this. Even a professor, Professor Wayoseni, got it wrong. You don’t need a professor to tell you this—it’s as clear as that.”
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim NDC Deputy Majority Whip
Criticism of the NPP’s Handling of Party Primaries
He questioned why the NPP had deferred primaries in constituencies such as Fomena, suggesting that the party was aware of the consequences of allowing MPs to switch affiliations.
“The political parties, if not politics that they are doing, are aware of the consequences. And that is why they always defer primaries in those constituencies that they are massaging. If not, why is it that, in general, they didn’t open nominations in Fomena?”
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim NDC Deputy Majority Whip
Response to Calls for Supreme Court Intervention
He argued that Parliament has its own rules and procedures, and it is the Speaker’s responsibility to interpret and enforce them.
“We must not take it as if it is the Speaker who has given the ruling. Then they are saying, ‘Oh, there must be Supreme Court; Speaker is interpreting the Constitution, so he must allow the Supreme Court to rule.”
“My brother Was it the Supreme Court that ruled against Abraham Kofi Asante? Was it the Supreme Court that ruled upon Inusah Fuseini? Was it the Supreme Court that ruled upon Andy Asiamah, MP for Fomena?”
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim NDC Deputy Majority Whip
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim maintained that the Speaker of Parliament has the authority to interpret and enforce parliamentary rules, and there is no need to defer to the Supreme Court in this instance.
“As long as Parliament is concerned, the one who defends and interprets the rules of procedure so long as Parlaiment is concerned, is the Speaker of Parliament. And therefore, we must not be shirking our responsibility.”
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim NDC Deputy Majority Whip
Upholding Parliamentary Integrity
Finally, he also referenced the former Speaker who had upheld similar rulings during his tenure, arguing that Bagbin was following established precedent.
“The Speaker defended the Constitution, and it was upheld by the venerable, distinguished Speaker Peter Ala Adjetey. Therefore, I don’t think that what the new minority are doing is in the right direction. They are wrong, and they must agree that they are wrong.”
Ahmed Ibrahim NDC Deputy Majority Whip
He concluded by criticizing the NPP’s decision to pursue legal action instead of addressing the matter within Parliament. He charged; “If it is not broken, don’t fix it”.
This passionate defense of Speaker Bagbin by the NDC majority highlights the deepening political tensions between the NDC and NPP over parliamentary processes and the interpretation of the Constitution.
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