Afenyo-Markin Urges Minority to Pursue Legal Action Over Parliamentary Dispute
Afenyo-Markin Urges Minority to Pursue Legal Action Over Parliamentary Dispute
- Afenyo-Markin has challenged the Minority in Parliament to take legal action
- His comments came after the Supreme Court issued a stay on Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling
- Afenyo-Markin affirmed the Majority's commitment to democratic principles
Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has challenged the Minority in Parliament to take legal action if they believe they have a strong case regarding the recent parliamentary controversy.
His comments came after the Supreme Court issued a stay on Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling, which had declared the seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant.
The Speaker’s ruling followed a motion by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, invoking constitutional provisions that require MPs who choose to run as independent candidates to vacate their seats.
The MPs affected—Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central)—were deemed to have breached these provisions by switching political parties or indicating their intention to run independently in the upcoming elections.
In protest of the Speaker’s ruling, the Majority staged a walkout from Parliament, deeming the decision unconstitutional and unjust.
Prior to the Speaker’s ruling on October 17, Afenyo-Markin took urgent legal steps by filing with the Supreme Court on October 15 to clarify the status of the four MPs, who planned to contest the December 2024 elections as members of the NPP or as independents. On October 18, he also requested a stay of execution of the Speaker’s ruling. The Supreme Court granted this stay, temporarily suspending any actions related to the ruling, including the declaration of the seats as vacant.
After the Supreme Court’s decision, Afenyo-Markin addressed the media, expressing satisfaction with the ruling, which he said reinforced the legal rights of the MPs and the democratic representation of their constituents. He emphasized the Majority’s strong legal position and their confidence in the court’s decision.
“The court has determined the matter and instructed the parties to file the necessary documents for a final resolution. We expect everyone involved, including the honorable Speaker, to respect this ruling,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin affirmed the Majority’s commitment to democratic principles, rejecting violence and political chaos. “We approached the court believing it would act justly, and it has. The rights of these MPs, and those of their constituents, have been upheld.”
He encouraged the public to review the court’s full ruling and engage in further discussions. “Those in the NDC claiming to be the Majority should now face us in the legal arena if they understand the law,” he concluded.
