Kwadjo Asante, NPP MP for Suhum (middle) with Alexander Afenyo-Markin (right) - Leader and Patricia Appiagyei, Deputy Leader of NPP Caucus in Parliament

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NPP wooing Suhum, Agona West MPs

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Politics Oct - 22 - 2024 , 18:36

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Caucus in Parliament is working to woo Cynthia Mamle Morrison, Member of Parliament (MP) for Agona West and Kwadjo Asante, MP for Suhum, who are disgruntled over different issues in relation to the party's parliamentary primaries in the two separate constituencies.

The two incumbent MPs failed to secure the NPP's bid to re-contest Election 2024 on the party's ticket.

They therefore opted to contest the 2024 parliamentary elections in their respective constituencies as independent candidates.

Their actions of going independent have triggered a standoff in Parliament, after the Speaker last week declared their seats together with two others vacant on grounds of cross carpeting in line with Article 97 of the Constitution.

The two other seats are that of Fomena, which has Andrew Asiamah Amoako, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Amenfi Central for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP, Anthony Ackah.

Speaking to Graphic Online's parliamentary correspondent, Nana Konadu Agyeman on Tuesday [Oct 21, 2024], the leader of the NPP side in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin said it was true that the "NPP while at battle, is putting its house in order".

But Mr Afenyo-Markin said the process is not complete to bring back those who have fallen out with the party,

From left, Eugene Boakye Antwi - MP for Subin, Ken Agyapong - MP for Assin Central, Cynthia Mamle Morrison - MP for Agona West, Alexander Afenyo-Markin - MP for Effutu and Patricia Appiagyei - MP for Asokwa. This was taken Tuesday as part of the wooing efforts after the NPP walked out of the chamber following a disagreement over sitting arrangements.

Cynthia Mamle Morrison, NPP MP for Agona West and an independent parliamentary candidate in the Agona West constituency for Election 2024 pictured in Parliament’s Job 600 office with colleague MPs from the NPP side on Tuesday. Her seat is among the four Speaker Bagbin declared… pic.twitter.com/m7VBrf0sDa

— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) October 22, 2024

Following the October 17 ruling by Speaker Alban Bagbin, which declared four parliamentary seats vacant, the seats of the NPP Caucus has reduced from 138 to 135 and that of the NDC Caucus from 137 to 136.

The NDC side based on this development is now claiming the Majority side while the NPP side argues that per a directive by the Supreme Court, implementation of the Speaker's ruling is on hold.

But when the House reconvened on Tuesday, members of Parliament from both the NDC and NPP sides occupied the majority side of Parliament.

The NDC MPs moved to the right side of the Speaker, normally reserved for the Majority side following the claim that the NDC side were now the Majority side in Parliament.

When the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin arrived and there was no seat available for him and some other members from his side, he led a walk out and they later addressed the press.

And after midday, when Speaker took his seat and saw that even though they had the numbers to transact business, but the House did not have the numbers to take decisions, he adjourned indefinitely.

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh

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