NDC won't back down on majority status, we'll return whenever Speaker calls - Mahama Ayariga

Accra, Ghana -  October 22, 2024 - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament are fully prepared to return to Parliament whenever Speaker Alban Bagbin calls them back, according to Mahama Ayariga, MP for Bawku Central.

Ayariga's assurance comes after Parliament's indefinite adjournment on October 22, following heated disputes between the NDC and New Patriotic Party (NPP) over which caucus holds the majority.

Ayariga criticized the NPP's lack of preparedness, noting fewer than 30 NPP MPs were present during the session. He accused Alexander Afenyo-Markin of leading efforts to disrupt proceedings.

The NDC maintains its stance as the majority, adhering to the Speaker's ruling declaring four seats vacant. Ayariga emphasized in an interview with Citi News that they won't yield to the NPP until the Speaker reverses his decision.

“Many of them [the NPP MPs] are in their constituencies campaigning and so anytime the Speaker calls us, we will come and anytime the Speaker says we are the Minority, we will listen to him, but he hasn’t said that,” Ayariga stated.

“We’re the Majority [NDC Minority], the Speaker didn’t set aside his directive and you will recall we said that it is only when the Speaker changes his communication that we on the NDC side will review anything.

“So far as we’re concerned, the Speaker’s communication in terms of the numbers in the house still stands. He hasn’t varied anything. And so I can assure you that we consider ourselves as the Majority and will act as such, there’s no issue at all. We don’t have a problem. We will go back to our constituencies and run our election campaign, that’s all.”

“Tell me what proper business is going to suffer? Tell me what proper businesses this government could have conducted within this period to change the circumstances of the suffering Ghanaians that is so important and urgent,'' he added.

With Parliament's adjournment, both parties await the Speaker's next directive, leaving the legislative process in limbo.

Source: Lead News Online