The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority Caucus in Parliament has taken over the seats typically reserved for the Majority, intensifying the already tense standoff between the two sides.
The move by the Minority, led by its leadership, comes as Parliament reconvenes for a highly anticipated session on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
This bold action has heightened the political friction between the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), as both sides vie for control of the Chamber amid a series of legal and political disputes.
The decision by the Minority to occupy the Majority’s seats is seen as a response to the recent ruling by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, who declared four parliamentary seats vacant on October 17, effectively reducing the NPP’s numbers and tilting the balance of power in favour of the NDC.
This ruling left the NDC with 136 seats, making them the de facto majority in the Chamber, while the NPP retained 135 seats. The vacant seats include two from the NPP, one from the NDC, and one held by an independent MP.
However, the Majority quickly challenged the Speaker’s ruling, with Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin filing an appeal with the Supreme Court. On October 18, the Court intervened, staying the Speaker’s ruling and ordering that the affected MPs be allowed to continue their duties until a final decision is reached.
This has left the status of the Majority in Parliament in limbo, and the situation has escalated into a power struggle over control of the Chamber.
The Minority’s decision to occupy the Majority side is widely viewed as a symbolic assertion of their newfound numerical advantage. Minority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza, in an interview prior to the session, stated that their actions were justified based on the Speaker’s ruling and the current composition of Parliament.
