The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has declared that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will not allow the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament to create disorder or disrupt the peace in Ghana.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, October 22, Afenyo-Markin explained that the decision by NPP MPs to retreat to their offices on Tuesday, October 22, was a strategic move to avoid confrontation and chaos after a dispute arose in Parliament over who should occupy the Majority side of the Chamber.
Earlier that day, NPP MPs vacated the Parliamentary Chamber following the decision by their NDC colleagues to occupy the majority side of Parliament.
The tension stemmed from a ruling by Speaker Alban Bagbin on October 17, declaring four parliamentary seats vacant—a decision that was contested by the NPP in the Supreme Court, which granted a stay of execution.
In his press conference, Afenyo-Markin accused the NDC of attempting to provoke the NPP into a physical altercation, an effort he said was aimed at destabilizing the country’s peace.
“We won’t give them [NDC] the opportunity to be lawless or disturb the peace of Ghana. Our decision to retreat was to prevent any form of chaos that they were trying to incite,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
The Majority Leader emphasized that the NPP would continue to act responsibly and await a directive from the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, before making any further moves.
“NPP, our tradition is a law-abiding tradition. Our forebearers have been peaceful. The country is hereby informed that we will not give them [the NDC] that lawlessness platform that they seek.
“We know innocent Ghanaians are going about their business, innocent Ghanaians in academia, we care about them. We understand that there is politics but we will do it in a civil manner.
“NPP is a peaceful party. We will not allow anybody to disturb the peace of this country.”
