The National Democratic Congress (NDC) are demanding an appology from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin following recent developments regarding a a recall for parliamentary proceedings.
The opposition party has expressed their disappointment in the ruling NPP caucus for failing to be present for the parliamentary recall session after they themselves had requested it.
On November 7, 2024, parliament was recalled into session following a request by the NPP caucus. This sitting was to address some pressing issues, as the NPP had lamented. However, the NPP caucus failed to show up as the NDC MPs occupied seats at the right-hand side of the speaker, a side reserved for the caucus with majority representatives.
The speaker therefore adjourned sitting indefinitely, citing the absence of the NPP caucus as reason for which business could not be carried out.
Following the suspension, the NPP caucus subjected the speaker to criticism, explaining that he ought to have announced that his decision on the four seats had been injuncted by the supreme court, thereby reinstating their (NPP’s) majority status in parliament.
Bagbin has been accused by the NPP for trying to cause choas in parliament. According to the leader of the NPP caucus, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the speaker is “setting the country on fire,” amongst other forms of allegations.
But the NDC believe the speaker is being treated unfarily, as the NPP caucus themselves failed to show up in a meeting they themselves called, adding that they have taken citizens for granted. According to a statement released by the NDC, the leader of the NPP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin deserves harsh criticisms for abusing parliamentary processes “to satisfy his ego.”
Therefore they have demanded “an immediate and unqualified apology from Afenyo-Markin for the unwarranted attacks which are deliberately calculated to lower the office of the Speaker of Parliament in the eyes of right-thinking Ghanaians.”
“We wish to state for the record that the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament has done no wrong to deserve such unfair and disrespectful attacks from the leader of the NPP. The Speaker has always been firm and resolute in defending the constitution, and he deserves commendation for protecting the sanctity of the Parliament of Ghana and our democratic institutions.”
“If there is anyone who deserves such harsh and unfair criticism, it must be the leader of the NPP Minority Caucus Alexander Afenyo-Markin who continues to abuse parliamentary processes just to satisfy his personal ego,” the statement signed by the Deputy leader of the NDC caucus said.
Source: Dehotpress
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