Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has criticized the Minority in Parliament for their demand to remove four MPs from the chamber due to their decision to run as independent candidates in the upcoming December polls.
The Minority seeks to have the seats of Agona West MP Cynthia Morrison, Suhum MP Kwadwo Asante, and Amenfi Central MP Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah declared vacant.
They also argue that the Fomena seat should be declared vacant following the Independent MP’s decision to contest the 2024 elections under the NPP’s banner.
However, in an interview with Joy News, Prof. Mike Oquaye, who previously removed an NPP MP from the chamber under similar circumstances four years ago, stated that the NDC has no valid grounds to move a motion affecting members of the opposing party.
“It’s wrong because the benefit is not his [Haruna Iddrisu] the law doesn’t stand to his inurement. That’s why I talked about the husband and wife. He has no locus because he doesn’t belong to the party involved. Is it you who should say there’s a problem in my house?
“You say I have a problem with my wife and I’m saying I have no problem with my wife, what are you talking about.”
Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, on Tuesday deferred the ruling on the Minority’s petition seeking to declare the seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant.
Instigated by Haruna Iddrisu, former Minority Leader, the petition aims to invoke Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution, which stipulates that an MP must vacate his or her seat if the person abandons the political party under which they were elected, or if they opt to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate.
