Don’t use foul means to create majority in Parliament – Bawumia cautions NDC MPs

The Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has thrown shade at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following the Supreme Court’s decision to put a hold on the Speaker of Parliament’s ruling that declared four parliamentary seats vacant.

He humorously noted, “Just yesterday they had the 24-hour majority, the shortest-lived majority I know of in history.”

Bawumia pointed out that if the NDC wants to hold a majority in Parliament, they need to win elections, as creating a majority through other means is not acceptable.

The Supreme Court’s ruling on October 18 instructed Parliament to allow the four MPs to continue serving until the case is resolved.

This followed the Speaker’s declaration of the seats as vacant on October 17. The MPs involved are Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadwo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Asiamah Amoako (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).

Bawumia made these remarks during his campaign on October 19, urging, “If you want the majority, come to the polling stations, win an election, and then go to Parliament.”

His comments are expected to intensify the already charged political atmosphere in Ghana, especially with the general elections set for December 7, 2024.

The NDC had asked the Speaker to declare the seats vacant based on Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution, which states that lawmakers must vacate their seats if they leave their party or try to stay as independents.

However, Majority Leader Afenyo-Markin filed a lawsuit against this petition, resulting in the current hold on the Speaker’s ruling.