We are not informed of any legal provision that nullifies the Speaker’s decision – Ayariga

Members of Parliament from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have emphasized that they exclusively heed to directives from the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.

The Supreme Court’s five-member panel, led by the Chief Justice, has approved a stay of execution on Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling to declare the seats of four MPs vacant due to allegiance switching.

This decision followed an ex parte application from the majority leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin. In response to inquiries during a parliamentary press conference on Sunday, Mahama Ayariga, the MP for Bawku Central, clarified that the NDC’s parliamentary faction is not aware of any legal basis that grants the suspension of the Speaker’s decision.

Referencing Article 2 and Article 1 (30) of the Constitution, Ayariga noted that the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to determine whether an Act is consistent with, or in conflict with, the Constitution. However, Ayariga expressed uncertainty regarding the legal justification for suspending a decision of Parliament or a directive of the Speaker in Parliament.

He emphasized that Parliamentarians operate based on communication received from the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, rather than reacting to news reports, court records, or social media content without official communication.

We adhere to instructions from the Right Honorable Speaker, including directives to proceed into the ocean if instructed to do so. The lawmaker stated that they only listen to the Speaker in regards to the integrity, legality, and appropriateness of what occurred in the Chamber of Parliament.

Watch Mahama Ayariga’s remarks below