Some supporters of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have gathered at Parliament House ahead of today’s sitting, as tensions rise over the leadership composition following a controversial ruling by Speaker Alban Bagbin.
On Thursday, October 17, Speaker Bagbin declared four parliamentary seats vacant, three of which belong to the NPP, with the fourth held by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). This declaration sparked a leadership crisis, shifting the balance of power in Parliament.
With 136 seats, the NDC, previously the Minority, has now claimed to be the Majority, surpassing the NPP, which now holds 135 seats. The move led to significant confusion in the House, with both parties jostling over control.
However, on Friday, October 18, the Supreme Court intervened, issuing a stay of execution on Mr Bagbin’s ruling.
The court ordered that the four MPs whose seats had been declared vacant be allowed to represent their constituencies and fully participate in parliamentary duties until the substantive case is heard.
Despite the court’s ruling, the NDC caucus remains adamant, refusing to relinquish its newly claimed Majority status.
They argue that the Supreme Court has no authority to interfere with the workings of Parliament, an independent arm of government that operates under its own rules.
The standoff has deepened the uncertainty in the House, with legal experts offering diverse opinions on the issue.
As Parliament reconvenes today, all eyes are on how the situation will unfold, especially with NPP supporters turning up in numbers to express solidarity with their party’s leadership.
