Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has stressed the importance of protecting Ghana’s Parliament, warning that any attempt to undermine its authority could threaten the democratic system.
He urged caution to prevent instability in the legislature.
“In this democracy, the only thing that sustains it is Parliament, so we have to be careful not to allow Parliament to break down. If Parliament breaks down, that is the end of Ghanaian democracy, and that is what we will protect as NPP,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, October 14.
His comments follow the announcement by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu that his side of the house intends to invoke Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution to vacate the seats of three Majority MPs and one NDC MP.
The provision in question states that an MP shall vacate their seat if they leave the party they were elected under or seek to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate.
According to Mr Afenyo-Markin, he will engage the Minority Leader on the development to know the way forward.
He however cautioned individuals allegedly plotting unrest for political gain, stating that their actions would harm the democratic process.
“So, for those who are planning and plotting chaos to create relevance, they must watch the space. For those who think that ranting will help the course of any agenda, they should know that they would be harming Ghanaian democracy,” he warned.
He also entreated the media to create a balance to help to maintain order in the Chamber.
But the Director of Elections and IT of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Rashid Tanko-Computer has supported the move saying the timing is on point.
He argued that what is going on is complete indiscipline on the side of the NDC.
“It is a correct time and we back the former Minority Leader’s stance on it, he should go ahead and move the motion and I strongly believe that the Speaker will rule in favour of the motion.”
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