The leader of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has strongly criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for their conduct in Parliament on Thursday, October 17, describing their actions as “evil” and undemocratic.
This comes after Speaker Alban Bagbin declared four seats in Parliament vacant. Three of the seats were occupied by NPP MP’s whereas one was held by the NDC.
The ruling affects MPs Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), and Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), who either opted to contest the 2024 elections as independent candidates or switched party allegiances.
The decision has led to leadership changes in Parliament, with the NDC which has been the Minority side now claiming to be in the Majority with 136 seats s against the governing NPP’s 135.
Reacting to this during a press conference on Friday, Mr Afenyo-Markin urged Ghanaians to condemn the behaviour of Speaker Bagbin and the NDC caucus, accusing them of undermining democracy.
He further highlighted what he saw as a deliberate attempt by the opposition to claim a false majority in Parliament
“We call on the good people of Ghana to condemn the conduct of Speaker Alban Bagbin and the NDC Caucus,” Afenyo-Markin said.
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The Effutu lawmaker also took issue with the NDC’s immediate proclamation of leadership in Parliament.
He pointed out that Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the opposition caucus leader, had prematurely declared himself the Majority Leader, despite Speaker Bagbin continuing to address him as the Majority Leader during proceedings.
“In fact, Mr Speaker himself, despite doing their bidding, fell short of declaring them to be the Majority and still addresses me as Majority Leader,” Afenyo-Markin added.
The Effutu MP went on to criticize remarks made by the NDC’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, who during a campaign rally, claimed that God had granted the NDC majority status in Parliament, an indication of victory for the party at the polls.
Read also: Minority to boycott Parliament until Supreme Court ruling on vacant seats – Afenyo-Markin
Mr Afenyo-Markin questioned the legitimacy of such claims, calling out the opposition’s alleged disregard for democratic processes.
“Is that how God grants Majority status to individuals who are full of mischief, vicious, and evil? What they did in Parliament yesterday [Thursday] was evil,” he remarked.
Mr Afenyo-Markin accused the NDC of choosing chaos over democracy, contrasting their behaviour with the law-abiding stance of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He noted that the NPP members had left the chamber peacefully, believing that their case would be fairly adjudicated in court.
“We are law-abiding citizens, that is why we calmly left the chamber for them. And we know that if we make our case well in court, the court will make a determination that would advance the cause of our democracy,” he noted.
