Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, a Member of Parliament for Odododiodoo, has declared that parliamentarians from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will only return to Parliament after the December 7 election.
He says the Minority Caucus is focused on the next election and will not be distracted.
“They [the Majority] should not waste taxpayer money by inviting us to Parliament in the next three weeks. We’re not coming. We are anxious about the elections and will not return to Parliament until after they have taken place. That should be on their minds,” he stated in an interview with Ghanaian television station Channel One.
Nii Lante’s comment comes after the Supreme Court ruled on Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration that four seats were vacant.
In a 5-2 judgment, the Supreme Court determined that the proclamation was unconstitutional and could not be upheld.
Nii Lante reveals when Minority will return to Parliament
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration that four seats were vacant, the Majority Caucus moved to recall Parliament.
The judgment impacted four MPs: Cynthia Mamle Morrison, NPP MP for Agona West; Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah, NDC MP for Amenfi Central; Kwadjo Asante, NPP MP for Suhum; and Andrew Asiamah Amoako, Independent MP for Fomena.
Three of these MPs have filed as independent candidates for the December 7 elections, while Mr. Amoako has returned to the NPP.
The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has expressed hope that the Speaker will recall the House following its temporary adjournment on Thursday, November 7.
However, Nii Lante has emphasized that it is not up to the Supreme Court or the NPP to decide whether party will constitute the Minority or Majority in the House.
“We want them to realize one thing: in our opinion, matters concerning the Minority or Majority are defined by the number of members in the House. So, when we resume, the numbers will show whether we or them are the majority. “This is not about the Supreme Court,” he explained.
“It is not for the NPP or the Supreme Court to determine who is the majority or minority in Ghana’s Parliament. We use our own processes to determine who is the majority and who is the minority. “When Speaker Bagbin declared them Majority, did they go to the Supreme Court to get that declaration?” he said.
