Vacant seats controversy: Go to court if you think you have a case – Afenyo-Markin tells NDC MPs

Leader of members belonging to the NPP in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has asked members of the opposition NDC to result to the courts if they think they have a case on the vacant seats controversy.

The Effutu Member of Parliament says who leads the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus of the House says it does not lies with members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to decide on which decisions of the law to obey and not.

In a press statement issued by the caucus Tuesday, amid the controversy over who to occupy the majority side of the House, Afenyo-Markin noted that the NDC can get a competent lawyer if the members believe they have a reasonable argument to make for the Supreme Court to change its decision.

“If the NDC Minority believes they have compelling arguments to present to the Supreme Court to alter its decision, they are free to find competent lawyers to make their case for them,” portions of the statement contained.

He added that choosing which portions of a court decision to obey or otherwise, is not a true reflection of democracy.

“However, they cannot cherry-pick which court rulings to respect. That’s not how democracy functions,” he added.

His comments come on the back of the majority and minority conundrum in Parliament where both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) are claiming majority status.

The confusion follows a ruling by the Speaker of Parliament Thursday, October 17, 2024, where some four seats were declared vacant. The declaration, subsequently reduced the membership of the governing NPP, who were then Majority to 135, with the opposition NDC, who were the Minority, remaining with 136 members to assume the Majority position.

Leader of the NPP caucus, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, filed an ex parte motion in the Supreme Court, where it ruled to stay with the ruling of the Speaker.

This, has created a confusion since, with both caucuses claiming to be the majority side of the House.

With the House resuming sitting today, Tuesday, October 22, 2024, tensions have been high, especially with the same 8th Parliament already engaging in two fisticuffs already.

Source:onuaonline.com