Political Scientist Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere from the University of Cape Coast is urging the withdrawal of the court case concerning the four vacant parliamentary seats, advocating for an out-of-court resolution.
Speaking on ABC MIDDAY NEWS on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, he expressed concerns that involving the legal system would exacerbate tensions rather than resolve them.
“It was rather wrong trying to solve this political issue in the law court.”
“Most often than not, certain issues at the law court will rather creat antagonism.”
Dr. Otchere criticized the attempt to address this political matter through legal channels, suggesting that such actions would only lead to increased animosity among parties involved.
“You can mark it on the wall, because whoever wins this case has not won. Because the other will never back down.”
“You will realize that there are other courts suits after all these. So when do you resolve all of these, to be able to resume parliament and have discussions upon the things that you have scheduled. That is where the problems lies.”
He accused the leader of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, of lacking “that emotional maturity to be able to deal with this issue, instead of going for that particular route (court).”
The legislative house is currently at a crossroads, with Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin formally rejecting a lawsuit that seeks clarification of Article 97(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
In a statement issued by the Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Speaker Bagbin noted that the lawsuit was improperly served by three bailiffs on September 16, 2024, asserting that their actions violated Article 117, which protects Parliament members from being served court documents during parliamentary proceedings.
He emphasized that these violations undermine the integrity of the legislative process and further complicate an already sensitive situation.
As the legal battle unfolds, calls for a political resolution to the ongoing dispute between the Speaker and the NPP Caucus are intensifying. Experts warn that continued delays in resolving this matter could jeopardize the government’s operations, leaving essential business stalled.
Dr. Otchere urged that the matter be withdrawn from court to facilitate a return to constructive parliamentary discussions, emphasizing the urgency of finding a political solution to avert further disruption.
