Tamale South Member of Parliament (MP) Haruna Iddrisu has attributed the ongoing parliamentary turmoil to a precedent established by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus.
This follows the controversy surrounding the Speaker’s declaration of four seats as vacant in Parliament.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on Thursday indefinitely adjourned the House again due to the absence of a prepared agenda. This was a result of the Business Committee’s failure to meet and set issues for deliberation.
The session, initially triggered by a recall request from the Majority caucus, was anticipated to tackle pressing legislative matters. However, with no appearance from the Majority MPs in the Chamber, Speaker Bagbin voiced disappointment, noting that their absence prevented the Business Committee from forming an agenda.
In his remarks, Bagbin explained that without an Order Paper, the House lacked a structured agenda to proceed.
Addressing journalists afterwards, Haruna Iddrisu emphasised that the current discord stems from decisions made in previous sessions, which he believes have set a troubling standard for parliamentary conduct.
“Clearly what is before us, given precedent, is a matter under Article 99 of the constitution which, in my view, strongly belongs to the High Court as a forum on whether or not to declare a seat vacant or not vacant,” he stated.
Adding “…Many of you will recall that when I had the rare opportunity to lead the Minority, I kept warning President Akufo-Addo and Prof. Mike Oquaye, as Speaker, to watch the precedent you set and watch the consequences of the precedent. This is the consequence of the precedent.”
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