Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged the Supreme Court to fast-track its decision on the case concerning the Speaker of Parliament’s recent declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.
On Thursday (17 October), Speaker Alban Bagbin ruled that the seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs), who are now running as independent candidates, be declared vacant.
This ruling was prompted by a formal petition from Tamale South MP and former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.
The Speaker’s decision would shift the balance of power in Parliament, with the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) becoming the minority and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) gaining a majority just two months ahead of the December general elections.
However, the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on Friday (18 October), following an ex parte application filed by NPP MPs to block the enforcement of Bagbin’s ruling.
Speaking on Asaase Radio’s The Forum on Saturday (19 October), Afenyo-Markin stressed the urgency for the court to deliver a swift verdict on the case, citing concerns over widespread speculation regarding Article 97(3) of the Constitution.
“The court is supposed to expedite action on the case and then we get the final determination of this matter ASAP,” Afenyo-Markin said.
“These are grave matters of constitutional law, and we cannot allow it to remain stale. You know, people are giving all manner of news and opinions on Article 97(3).”
He added, “It is important that we allow the Supreme Court to come to a firm determination on this matter once and for all—that is all that is needed. The politics must give way for law to operate.”
Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
