Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of intentionally creating chaos and division within the country, particularly through their actions in Parliament.
His comments come amid rising tensions following the adjournment of Parliament on Thursday, November 7, 2024, by Speaker Alban Bagbin. The adjournment came after the House failed to proceed with parliamentary business due to the absence of New Patriotic Party (NPP) members, who were unable to participate due to a dispute over the seating arrangement.
Afenyo-Markin described the NDC’s actions as deliberately provocative, stating that they are “on a warpath,” seeking to create confusion and lawlessness in the country.
He added that Speaker Bagbin, by failing to address the NDC’s actions, was “supervising chaos” and undermining the country’s democratic principles.
“Clearly the NDC is on a war path,” Afenyo-Markin stated emphatically. “They want confusion in this country; they want lawlessness, and all these are being supervised by Mr. Speaker. It is sad. It is very sad.”
The Majority Leader’s comments were in response to the NDC’s decision to occupy the Majority side of Parliament despite the ongoing political dispute over parliamentary seats.
This move was met with strong opposition from the NPP, which maintains that they hold the Majority due to the Supreme Court ruling that stayed the Speaker’s declaration of some four seats as vacant.
Afenyo-Markin argued that the NDC’s actions undermine the legislative process and contribute to the current deadlock in Parliament.
He stated that by occupying the Majority side and causing confusion, the NDC is impeding the proper functioning of the House.
He further questioned Speaker Bagbin’s handling of the situation, emphasizing that the Speaker had failed to uphold the sanctity of Parliament by not directing NDC MPs to return to the Minority side, as stipulated by parliamentary rules.
According to Afenyo-Markin, this failure was a direct violation of democratic norms and the ruling of the Supreme Court, which had previously addressed the matter of parliamentary seating arrangements.
The remarks come amid an ongoing standoff between the Majority and Minority in Parliament, with tensions growing as the two sides continue to clash over seating arrangements.
Parliament: Bagbin disrespecting Supreme Court ruling – KT Hammond
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