Mahama Ayariga: NDC MPs Will Obey Bagbin's Ruling

Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, says members of Parliament from the National Democratic Congress will only be guided by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin's pronouncement and not the Supreme Court's ruling in Parliament come Tuesday, October 22, 2024. This is following a court drama that saw the declaration of four parliamentary seats vacant.

 Ayariga made these comments in an interview on Citi FM's Citi Breakfast Show, where he underscored that as far as NDC MPs are concerned, they are obliged by the Speaker's actions and not by some court decisions seeking to disrupt the processes of parliament. This follows the Speaker of Parliament, Bagbin, declaring four seats-Amenfi Central, Fomena, Suhum, and Agona West-vacant, a development occasioned by MPs switching political allegiances, which is provided for by the constitution.

However, the Supreme Court intervened and stayed the execution of Bagbin's ruling, following an application by the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin. Ayariga condemned the move, saying the judiciary has overstepped its limit by venturing into parliamentary matters, which, according to him, the constitution forbids it from doing.

He went further to point out that the involvement of the Supreme Court also raises fears of judicial overreach and political bias, as he said, "These are matters the Supreme Court should not be interfering in. It almost feels like the Court is acting as an extension of the NPP."

This creates another political and legal impasse, setting the stage for more tensions in Parliament amidst a wait by NDC MPs for the next move by Speaker Bagbin, hoping he will acquiesce or challenge the ruling by the Supreme Court. Ayariga's comments capture the complex dynamics between the legislature and the judiciary in a hovering debate on constitutional interpretation and political authority in Ghana's democracy.