NPP MPs leave parliamentary chamber to wait for Speaker's directive

This peaceful walkout followed an escalating standoff between the NPP majority caucus and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), who now assert control over the majority side of Parliament after the Speaker's contentious declaration that four parliamentary seats had been vacated.

Members of Parliament (MPs)from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have vacated the parliamentary chamber while awaiting a definitive directive from the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, regarding seat occupancy and the status of the parliamentary majority.

NPP MPs contend that the Supreme Court’s ruling should permit them to maintain their occupancy of the majority side, while the NDC argues that the Speaker’s declaration remains valid until the matter is fully adjudicated in court.

Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), under the leadership of Minority Leader Dr.

Cassiel Ato Forson, took their seats on the majority side of the chamber, asserting their claim to be the new majority.

In contrast, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs rejected this claim, arguing that the Supreme Court's intervention granted them the right to retain their positions on the majority side until a definitive legal ruling is issued.

The declaration notably altered the balance of power in Parliament, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) claiming a 136-seat majority in contrast to the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) 135 seats.

On October 17, Speaker Alban Bagbin declared the parliamentary seats for Fomena, Amenfi Central, Suhum, and Agona West vacant, referencing Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution, which addresses MPs who announce their intentions to contest as independents or under a different party banner..

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