Member of Parliament for Keta, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey has reiterated the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus’ decision not to relinquish its newly claimed majority status in Parliament.
In an interview with JoyNews, Mr Gakpey argued that the legislature is an independent body and will not take directives from the judiciary.
His comment comes amidst ongoing confusion over which party holds the majority, following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four vacant parliamentary seats on October 17.
Three of the affected seats held by the NPP and one by the NDC—were vacant, shifting the balance of power in Parliament.
With the NDC claiming 136 seats and the NPP reduced to 135, the NDC quickly asserted itself as the new majority.
However, on Friday, October 18, the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on Speaker Bagbin’s decision, ruling that the four MPs must be allowed to continue representing their constituencies until the court reaches a final decision.
Despite the ruling, the NDC Caucus insists that it will safeguard its newly declared Majority status.
In view of that, the NDC and New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs took up seats on the majority side of the House, leaving the minority side completely vacant.
When asked why the NDC Caucus is refusing to abide by the order of the Supreme Court, Mr Gakpey said it would take the Supreme Court itself to come to the House to enforce its ruling.
According to him, Parliament as an independent arm should not be interfered with by the judiciary.
“The Chief Justice should come to Parliament and enforce her ruling. Parliament is a master of its own rule.
“As we all know, we have three arms of government and as the legislative arm, we do things based on our standing orders and the Constitution,” he told Parliamentary correspondent Kwaku Asante.
He further emphasised that Speaker Bagbin’s ruling still stands and, according to him, the injunction issued by the Supreme Court does not affect the NDC Caucus.
“So the Speaker has ruled and we are conforming to that order so the injunction doesn’t affect the NDC Caucus, we are now the majority in Parliament,” he stated.
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