The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to firmly defend its newly declared Majority status in Parliament, despite a Supreme Court ruling staying the Speaker of Parliament’s earlier decision.
The leadership dispute in Parliament intensified on Thursday, October 17, when Speaker Alban Bagbin declared four parliamentary seats vacant. Of these, three were held by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and one by the NDC. This reshuffled the balance of power, giving the NDC 136 seats, one more than the NPP’s 135, effectively making the NDC the new Majority.
However, on Friday, October 18, the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution, allowing the four affected MPs to continue representing their constituencies until the court hears the substantive case. This ruling temporarily restored the status quo, but the NDC remains unwavering in its claim.
NDC Caucus leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, addressed the situation at a press conference on Sunday, October 20, where he reaffirmed the party’s determination to hold onto its Majority position in Parliament, as outlined by the House’s Standing Orders.
Dr. Forson stated, “The NDC now constitutes the Majority Caucus in this 8th Parliament. We will jealously protect our new Majority status and will not bow, retreat, or surrender our lawfully earned position.”
He also emphasized that any external attempts to influence parliamentary proceedings are unlawful and unacceptable, declaring, “Nothing, absolutely nothing, will change this position!”
Dr. Forson also highlighted that the NDC’s presence in Parliament is focused on advocating for the ordinary Ghanaian. “We have never hidden our position that we are in this Parliament for the benefit of the ordinary Ghanaian,” he asserted.
The NDC’s determination comes amid ongoing tensions between the party and the NPP, whose leadership has questioned the legality of Speaker Bagbin’s ruling.
With Parliament expected to reconvene on Tuesday, October 22, all eyes will be on Speaker Bagbin’s response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, as the battle for parliamentary control continues to unfold.
