John Jinapor, the MP for Yapei-Kusawgu, has urged Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the majority leader, to let Speaker Alban Bagbin make a decision regarding whether or not MPs who entered the legislature on party platforms can retain their seats in the event that they declare their independence.
Afenyo-Markin has alluded to requesting an injunction from the Supreme Court to prevent the Speaker from making a decision on the issue.
Mr. Jinapor called the Majority Leader’s move to get an injunction premature and needless.
Mr. Jinapor highlighted during his appearance on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show that Speaker Bagbin has not yet made a decision about the current issue, which pertains to the possible dismissal of the MPs in question.
He pointed out that there is already a precedent from 2020 when former Speaker Mike Oquaye ruled on a similar case, which the New Patriotic Party (NPP) supported at the time.
“Speaker Alban Bagbin has not even ruled on this matter. There is a ruling that is standing, and that was the ruling of Mike Oquaye in 2020, and we are faced with a similar situation. The incumbent Speaker has not ruled, and yet people are drawing all kinds of conclusions,” he stated.
He suggested that the Majority’s real concern lies in the potential impact of Speaker Bagbin’s ruling in line with the Oquaye precedent.
If Bagbin upholds the call to dismiss the MPs, the NPP’s majority in Parliament could be at risk, and Mr Afenyo-Markin could end up as the Minority Leader.
“If Speaker Bagbin rules in consonance with what Mike Oquaye ruled, it means that the Majority will turn into a Minority and that is the worry,” he said.
Mr. Jinapor also called Afenyo-Markin’s attempt to use the legal system to overturn the Speaker’s decision “funny and unfortunate.”
He warned that such an action could increase accusations of judicial bias and expressed disbelief that the Supreme Court would issue an injunction on the Speaker’s imminent decision.
“There is a matter before the Speaker, and the Speaker says he will consult and make a decision. The Majority is already at the Supreme Court seeking an injunction on Parliament. I will be very surprised if the Supreme Court grants that injunction,” he remarked.
“Granting the injunction would reinforce concerns about the fairness of the judicial system, especially in politically sensitive cases,” he noted.
Source: myjoyonline.com