Prof. Oquaye: Minority Lacks Grounds to Demand Vacant Seats for Four MPs
- Mike Ocquaye has criticized the Minority in Parliament
- They also argue that the Fomena seat should be declared vacant
- The petition is led by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu
Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Ocquaye, has criticized the Minority in Parliament for their call to remove four MPs who are running as independent candidates in the upcoming December elections.
The Minority is seeking to have the seats of Agona West MP Cynthia Morrison, Suhum MP Kwadwo Asante, and Amenfi Central MP Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah declared vacant.
They also argue that the Fomena seat should be declared vacant following the Independent MP’s decision to contest the 2024 elections under the banner of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In an interview, Prof. Ocquaye, who previously removed an NPP MP from the chamber under similar circumstances four years ago, stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has no legitimate grounds to file a motion against members of the opposing party.
“It’s inappropriate because the benefit does not accrue to Haruna Iddrisu; the law does not apply to him in this context. It’s like a husband saying there’s a problem in my house when the wife disagrees.
He has no standing because he is not part of the party in question. If I say I have no issue with my wife, what business is it of yours?” he remarked.
On Tuesday, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin postponed a ruling on the Minority’s petition to declare the seats of the four MPs vacant.
The petition, led by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, aims to invoke Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution, which states that an MP must vacate their seat if they abandon the political party under which they were elected or choose to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate.
