The Chairman of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, has disclosed that Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin tactfully navigated the ministerial vetting chaos by playing it “smart and safe.”
According to Ahiafor, the Effutu MP strategically influenced events behind the scenes while avoiding direct involvement in contentious moments.
Speaking with the press on Monday, February 3, the First Deputy Speaker shed light on how key figures operated during the vetting process.
“The Minority Leader played it smart and safe. I heard him instructing them on some of the actions they took, but just before things escalated, he left the room,” the Akatsi South MP recounted.
Ahiafor highlighted how Afenyo-Markin’s absence at crucial points helped him avoid direct association with the tensions that unfolded.
“He only returned after the chaos had already begun. So, at the moment when tables were being dragged and chairs placed on top, he was not in the room. When he eventually came back, he stayed behind me on my right side and didn’t even move to my left.”
Mr Ahiafor further claimed that Jerry Ahmed Shaib, one of the four MPs suspended over the incident, was acting under his leader’s direct instruction.
“I know, that Jerry was under his instruction to move to go and stop Mintah Akandoh from taking the seat to the swamp,” he disclosed.
He also revealed that the Minority Leader had given specific directives to his side during the heated exchanges.
“He asked his side that they should all put on the microphone. I have heard him saying they should call some people to come to the vetting room.”
Commenting on the Speaker’s decision to suspend the four MPs involved in the melee, Mr Ahiafor acknowledged that the penalty could have been harsher.
“Was the Speaker charitable to the four suspended MPs engaged in the melee? Well, I believe that danger begets man; the crowd distresses someone for relief.”
He suggested that deeper scrutiny of the issue could have led to even sterner consequences.
“As a matter of fact, if we want to go into the nitty-gritty of this particular matter, they may suffer harsher punishment than the suspension.
“I heard people arguing that the suspension should have been eight days instead of two weeks, and it all boils down to the same thing. Because naturally, the sitting days of Parliament, in a week, is formed.”
