The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has affirmed its commitment to safeguarding its newly declared Majority status in Parliament despite the Supreme Court’s ruling staying the order by the Speaker of Parliament.
The confusion over the leadership composition of the House started on Thursday, October 17, after Speaker Alban Bagbin declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
Three of the affected seats belong to the NPP, with the fourth held by the NDC. The decision therefore engendered a new leadership crisis in Parliament, with the NDC which has been the Minority now claiming to be in the Majority with 136 seats against the NPP’s 135.
However, on Friday, October 18, the apex court ordered a stay of execution on Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration, ordering Parliament to recognise and allow the four MPs to fully represent their constituencies and carry out their official duties until the substantive case is held.
Nonetheless, the leader of the NDC Caucus, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has vowed that his party would not relinquish its newly attained position.
At a press conference held on Sunday, October 20, Dr Forson emphasised that the NDC now constitutes the Majority caucus in Parliament, in accordance with the Standing Orders of the legislative body.
He declared that the Caucus would “jealously protect” this status and resist any attempts to undermine it.
“Fellow countrymen and women, the NDC now constitutes the Majority Caucus in this 8th Parliament. We will jealously protect our new Majority status and will not bow, retreat, or surrender our lawfully earned status.
“We will also not abdicate our responsibility to the people no matter what!” he stressed.
Dr Forson reiterated that any external attempts to interfere with parliamentary proceedings are unlawful and will not be tolerated.
“Nothing, absolutely nothing, will change this position!” he declared.
He further added that the NDC is prepared to resist any interference with the business of Parliament, which he described as “unlawful and unacceptable.”
The Supreme Court ruling has been a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle over the control of Parliament, following Speaker Bagbin’s ruling.
The ruling was met with resistance from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), whose leadership had questioned the legality of the Speaker’s decision.
Dr Forson, in his speech, also emphasised that the NDC’s presence in Parliament is for the benefit of the ordinary Ghanaian.
“We have never hidden our position that we are in this Parliament for the ordinary Ghanaian,” he said.
Parliament is expected to resume sitting on Tuesday, October 22, where the Speaker’s response to the Supreme Court ruling is highly anticipated.
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