Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has reassured Ghanaians that there is no constitutional crisis amid a dispute over vacant parliamentary seats.
Addressing the press in Accra on Wednesday, November 6, Bagbin responded to a recent Supreme Court decision that upheld an earlier ruling, barring him from declaring four seats vacant.
“There’s no constitutional crisis in this country. I repeat, there’s no constitutional crisis in this country,” Bagbin stated, calling for public calm and trust in Ghana’s democratic framework.
The controversy stems from four Members of Parliament who either crossed party lines or expressed their intentions to contest as independents in the next election.
According to Bagbin, these actions warrant Parliament’s intervention to declare the seats vacant, as they reflect a shift in the MPs’ political allegiance, impacting their parties’ interests.
However, the Supreme Court’s ruling has limited Parliament’s authority in this matter, intensifying tensions among the branches of government.
Bagbin accused the Executive and Judiciary of colluding to undermine Parliament’s independence, stressing, “This conflict represents a troubling precedent for our democracy.”
Despite the ruling, Speaker Bagbin stood firm on Parliament’s role in safeguarding democratic principles.
He reiterated Parliament’s constitutional right to oversee members’ conduct, including revoking seats if necessary to maintain political loyalty and integrity.
The parliamentary session will reconvene today, Thursday, November 7, where the matter is likely to be further discussed.
