NPP Caucus Vacates Parliamentary Chamber

In the quest to avoid a fisticuff and prove to the world their faith in democratic processes, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus of Parliament has deserted the Parliamentary chamber to await the arrival of the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin and his ultimate decision.

The decision to vacate the house comes after the leader of the NPP Caucus, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, alongside other members met the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus occupying the seats on the right side of the Speaker on Tuesday morning.

In an interview with the media after they vacated the chamber, Afenyo-Markin, said their action is to demonstrate to the world their belief in democratic processes as against melee.

They are determined to stay out of the chamber until the Speaker arrives and makes the ultimate decision.

“Ghana needs peace. We in the NPP want peace. The Supreme Court has spoken. It now behoves the Speaker. We came to meet our brothers in our seats. We can’t fight with them because Ghana is dear to us. We must use wisdom and dialogue and not fight. We are for peace. We are moving to our office. We will just await the Speaker. Yesterday, the House was served with the order of the court and we know he is a lawyer and has been active in democratic affairs for a long time. When he comes, we expect him to call us and tell us the Minority is at fault.

“We can’t fight with them. Our sons, nieces and nephews are monitoring, and business leaders and traditional authorities are all monitoring. The world at large is waiting for our reaction and so we have to let them know we are wise and believe in democracy. So far as the Supreme Court had spoken that is the law. When the Speaker issued his ruling, we didn’t fight, we got out and went to court. That’s how our forebearers bred us. We await the speaker.”

Many predicted confrontation between the NPP and NDC sides today as the House convenes for the first time since four seats were declared vacant tilting the balance of power to the NDC with the Supreme Court subsequently delivering a stay of execution order against the decree.

As the NDC side vows to “jealously” protect their earned majority status, the NPP side says the House has reverted to its previous status in their favour with the court order.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini