Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, the NDC Member of Parliament for Odododiodioo, has publicly stated that the majority of his fellow NDC MPs have chosen not to comply with any recall of Parliament following the recent Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-2 decision that Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant was unconstitutional, a decision that has sparked significant debate. Full details of the Court’s reasoning are expected on November 13.
This legal dispute originated when Alexander Afenyo-Markin filed a suit challenging Bagbin’s decision to declare the seats vacant, which temporarily allowed the NDC MPs to assume a majority in the House, prompting a boycott by New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs. With the Supreme Court’s latest ruling, the expectation is for Parliament to reconvene with NDC MPs in their original minority position, but Vanderpuye has expressed strong disagreement, suggesting that the Court’s interpretation was unnecessary and out of step with public sentiment.
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In his remarks, Vanderpuye voiced disappointment in the Court’s handling of the case, noting that many Ghanaians, according to him, are dissatisfied with the ruling. He argued that the Court’s decision further impacted its credibility, especially in light of recent reports questioning the judiciary’s public standing. He added that while the Court may seek to alter the status quo in Parliament, the NDC MPs will not be “pushed around” and have no intention of complying with any immediate call to return.
Vanderpuye indicated that approximately 99% of the NDC MPs share this stance, although he clarified that they would consider a formal call from the Speaker, evaluating the timing and circumstances before making a final decision. This ongoing standoff underscores the larger political tensions within Parliament and the challenges that lie ahead in reconciling both legal interpretations and party interests.
