Election 2024: Mpraeso MP declines Haruna Iddrisu’s proposal for Independent NPP MPs to step down
The Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Opoku Ansah, has rebuffed recent calls by former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, for New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs running as independent candidates in the upcoming elections to relinquish their parliamentary seats.
Haruna Iddrisu, speaking at a campaign event in the Tamale North constituency, implied that invoking Article 97 (1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution could force the Speaker of Parliament to declare the seats vacant, as the constitution dictates that MPs who resign from their party or stand as independent candidates may lose their positions. In his rebuttal, Davis Opoku Ansah contended that such a course of action would be unconstitutional.
He stressed that the mentioned MPs remain members of the NPP and have not officially left the party, a prerequisite for invoking Article 97 (1)(g). “Haruna Iddrisu and the NDC should refrain from activating this clause.”
The potential activation of any clause in Parliament should be avoided, especially given the current fragile balance of power with a 137-137 split. With less than three months until the election, it is crucial that this Parliament is allowed to continue until Ghanaians have the opportunity to make their decision. It is argued that it is unconstitutional and improper to suggest that an MP, who was elected by the people and not the party, would lose their status as a Member of Parliament if they choose to run on a different ticket in a future election.
Additionally, criticism was voiced against the decision to declare the Fomena seat vacant in 2020. The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, who expressed intentions to run as an independent candidate after feeling undermined by the NPP, was wronged by this decision. The ruling made by Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye was deemed incorrect by Davis Opoku Ansah. The focus is on the law, not on individuals. It was wrong in the past, remains wrong in the present, and should continue to be deemed unacceptable in the future.
“Currently, residents of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lipke, and Lolobi (SALL) express dissatisfaction over the lack of parliamentary representation and are facing opposition in future elections.”
Three out of the four mentioned MPs have transitioned to running as independent candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
One individual, specifically the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and MP for Fomena, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, is noted to have switched to running as an independent MP for Fomena after submitting candidacy for the 2024 parliamentary election under the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The other MPs are Cynthia Mamle Morrison of Agona East and Kwadwo Asante of Suhum, who are currently serving in Parliament under the NPP but have declared intentions to run as independent candidates in the 2024 elections.
The fourth individual belongs to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and has also made the shift to contest as an independent candidate, as confirmed by Mr. Iddrisu.
