Member of Parliament for Tolon and First Deputy Majority Whip, Alhaji Habib Iddrisu, has asserted that former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Ocquaye, was wrong in declaring the Fomena seat vacant during his tenure in 2020.
The controversy dates back to when the then-MP for Fomena decided to contest as an independent candidate after losing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primary.
This prompted Prof. Ocquaye to declare the Fomena seat vacant, a decision that stirred significant debate at the time.
The move followed a letter from the NPP leadership expelling Andrew Amoako Asiamah, the sitting MP, after his decision to run as an independent candidate in the general elections.
The issue has resurfaced in light of the current Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, declaring four seats vacant, which has drawn heavy criticism from NPP legislators.
Effutu MP and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticized the ruling as biased, alleging a conspiracy between Speaker Bagbin and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to gain political advantage in the House.
The MPs affected by Speaker Bagbin’s recent ruling include Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadwo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).
Cynthia Morrison and Kwadwo Asante, both NPP MPs, have filed to contest the 2024 general elections as independent candidates.
Andrew Asiamah, now the Second Deputy Speaker and formerly an independent candidate, has decided to contest under the NPP ticket, while Peter Kwakye Ackah, an NDC MP, is also vying as an independent candidate.
However, Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu, has invoked Article 97(1)(g) of the Constitution, questioning their eligibility to continue serving as MPs after filing as independent candidates.
He filed a motion in Parliament, and Speaker Bagbin requested two days to rule on the matter, delivering his ruling on Thursday, October 17.
This ruling has triggered a significant shift in Parliament’s power dynamics. With the NPP losing three of its seats, its strength in the House has decreased from 138 to 135, while the NDC now holds 136 seats, effectively shifting the Majority position from the NPP to the NDC.
Meanwhile the NDC Majority leaders in parliament are set to hold a press conference tomorrow on the supreme court’s ruling.
MPs Lose Seats: Former Speaker Mike Ocquaye was wrong in declaring the Fomena seat vacant.
– Alhaji Habib Iddrisu, MP – Tolon & First Deputy Majority Whip #Newsfile pic.twitter.com/qnViP7BrH0
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) October 19, 2024
