Members of Parliament (MPs) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have escalated tensions by occupying seats typically reserved for the Majority in Parliament, heightening the ongoing standoff between the two parties.
The Minority, led by its leadership, made this move as Parliament resumed for a crucial session on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
This bold act has further intensified political friction between the opposition NDC and the ruling NPP, with both parties vying for control of the Chamber amidst a backdrop of legal and political disputes.
The Minority’s decision to take over the Majority’s seats is seen as a direct response to Speaker Alban Bagbin’s recent ruling on October 17, which declared four parliamentary seats vacant. This ruling effectively reduced the NPP’s numbers, shifting the balance of power in the NDC’s favour.
Following the ruling, the NDC now holds 136 seats, making them the de facto majority, while the NPP has 135 seats. The vacated seats include two from the NPP, one from the NDC, and one from an independent MP.
The Majority has challenged the Speaker’s ruling, with Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin filing an appeal with the Supreme Court. On October 18, the Court issued a stay, allowing the affected MPs to continue their duties until a final decision is made.
With the Majority’s status in Parliament uncertain, the power struggle over control of the Chamber has intensified.
The Minority’s occupation of the Majority’s seats is seen as a symbolic assertion of their numerical advantage. Minority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza, in an interview before the session, stated that their actions were justified by the Speaker’s ruling and the current composition of Parliament.
As the session commenced, NDC MPs took seats traditionally reserved for the NPP, with some Minority leaders sitting in the front rows alongside Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
This sparked protests from NPP MPs, who accused the opposition of attempting to seize control prematurely, ignoring the ongoing legal process.
The Majority Caucus, led by Annoh-Dompreh, strongly condemned the Minority’s actions. Annoh-Dompreh, who had earlier refuted claims of being “smuggled” into Parliament, warned that the Majority would not allow the Minority to assert dominance without contest.
