Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin has taken a bold step by filing a suit at the Supreme Court to prevent Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin from hearing a motion that could force three Majority MPs to vacate their seats.
The controversy surrounds the MPs’ decision to contest the 2024 Parliamentary elections on NPP/Independent tickets, sparking debate over their eligibility to retain their seats.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) argues that MPs who switch parties or run against their party’s interests should step down, while Afenyo-Markin believes this would undermine the democratic process.
The dispute began when the three NPP MPs filed to contest the 2024 elections on NPP/Independent tickets, seen as a betrayal by some in their party.
The implications of the suit are far-reaching. If successful, it could set a precedent for MPs to switch parties or run as independents without fear of losing their seats.
On the other hand, if the suit fails, it could embolden opposition parties to push for stricter rules governing MP defections.
Haruna Iddrisu, the Tamale South MP, has been vocal about the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) intentions to take over the majority seats in parliament. He threatened a showdown over this issue, emphasizing the NDC’s determination to assume a parliamentary majority.
The NDC planned to achieve this by enforcing Article 97 of the Constitution, which could lead to the disqualification of some New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs running as independents.
This move has significant implications for the balance of power in parliament. Haruna Iddrisu’s statements reflected the NDC’s resolve to challenge the status quo and assert their influence in parliament.
This isn’t Afenyo-Markin’s first attempt to address the issue. Previously, he sent a memo to the Speaker requesting an extraordinary session of the House to address the matter.
However, taking the dispute to the Supreme Court raises the stakes and potentially sets a landmark precedent.