Speaker Adjourns Parliamentary Sitting Indefinitely Amidst Vacant Seats Controversy

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has indefinitely adjourned sitting in the House following a heated controversy over vacant parliamentary seats. This decision was made after a session where National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament took over the seats typically occupied by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), leading to a walkout by the latter.

Earlier in the day, NPP MPs, led by Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin, walked out of the chamber after NDC legislators occupied the Majority side, asserting their claim as the rightful majority. Afenyo-Markin explained that the NPP chose not to confront the NDC over the issue to avoid chaos, noting that they would await further instructions from Speaker Bagbin. He emphasized that their decision to retreat was in the interest of maintaining peace, encouraging their colleagues in the NDC to seek resolution through the proper channels, such as the courts.

“We didn’t cause commotion here. We left quietly and told Mr. Speaker that the right place to express those grievances would be in court. So, we expect our brothers and sisters on the NDC minority side to do the needful,” Afenyo-Markin stated, adding that the Speaker now holds the crucial responsibility of ensuring peace is maintained in Parliament.

Hours later, Speaker Bagbin returned to the chamber and acknowledged the presence of enough MPs to continue business, although he clarified that the numbers were insufficient to make official decisions. During brief proceedings, the Speaker also responded to a motion by Madina MP, Francis-Xavier Sosu, to correct the parliamentary records. The correction noted that, on the previous Thursday, the NPP, upon walking out, had indeed been the Minority at the time.

The Speaker went on to address ongoing legal matters, revealing that he had been served court documents concerning the disputed status of four MPs whose seats he had previously declared vacant. With the court process now in motion, Bagbin acknowledged that the legality of the composition of Parliament remained in question.

“We don’t have at least half of all members of parliament present. Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there’s a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament, and having regard to public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in Parliament, I will proceed to, in accordance with Standing Orders 59, adjourn the House indefinitely,” Speaker Bagbin stated.

This development follows a Supreme Court ruling on October 18, which issued a stay of execution on Bagbin’s earlier declaration that four parliamentary seats were vacant. The Court directed that the MPs in question continue to represent their constituencies and perform their duties until a final ruling is delivered. The stay order was issued following an ex parte application by NPP MPs, meaning Speaker Bagbin and Parliament were not joined in the case, allowing the Court to consider the NPP’s request without requiring their participation.

The matter remains unresolved, and the Supreme Court is expected to issue a final decision regarding the status of the four MPs, which could have significant implications for the composition of Parliament going forward.