In an unusual scene in Parliament today, MPs from both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have occupied seats on the majority side of the chamber, leaving the minority side entirely empty.
This unusual arrangement comes against the backdrop of the confusion over which political party holds the Majority in Parliament after Speaker Bagbin declared four vacant parliamentary seats on October 17.
Reports indicate that NPP Caucus Deputy Whip, Habib Iddrisu, took the seat of the Majority Leader, blocking the NDC Caucus leader from sitting in that position.
In response, NDC MPs quickly relocated the Minority Leader’s black chair from their side to the majority side, allowing their leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to take his seat.
Mr. Asante clarifies that although all MPs sit on brown chairs, the leaders of both the majority and minority usually occupy black chairs.
By sitting in the black chair intended for the Majority Leader, Mr. Annoh Dompreh essentially asserted the position of the NPP.
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Undeterred, the NDC shifted the Minority Leader’s chair to the majority side.
Kwaku Asante also disclosed that despite the ongoing leadership dispute, the atmosphere in Parliament seemed amicable.
He noted that MPs from both the NDC and NPP, despite sitting on the same side, were observed smiling and engaging in conversation with one another.
With the NDC claiming 136 seats and the NPP reduced to 135, the NDC quickly asserted itself as the new majority.
This recent development comes after Speaker Bagbin declared four parliamentary seats, three held by the NPP and one by the NDC vacant, altering the balance of power in Parliament.
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However, on Friday, October 18, the Supreme Court granted a stay of execution on Speaker Bagbin’s decision, ruling that the four MPs should remain in their positions and continue representing their constituencies until a final judgment is made.
Despite the court’s ruling, the NDC caucus has refused to give up its newly claimed majority status, maintaining that the judiciary cannot interfere with the workings of Parliament, which operates as an independent branch of government.
