The leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has stated that the NPP will not provide the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) with the “lawless platform” they are seeking.
Speaking to the media while in the Chamber, Afenyo-Markin emphasized, “We will not give them that platform. We will not give them that theatre they so aggressively seek to disrupt democracy and to destroy our nation. We believe the appropriate thing is to quietly yield to them and wait upon Mr. Speaker.”
This declaration follows a unique situation in Parliament where both NDC and NPP Members of Parliament occupied the majority side, leaving the minority section completely vacant.
In a significant move, NPP Caucus Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, took the Majority Leader’s seat, effectively blocking the NDC Caucus leader from occupying it. In retaliation, the NDC moved the Minority Leader’s black chair to the majority side, allowing their leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to sit alongside them.
Typically, Members of Parliament sit on brown chairs, while the leaders of both the majority and minority occupy black ones. By taking the black chair meant for the Majority Leader, Mr. Annoh Dompreh symbolically claimed the position for the NPP. However, the NDC countered this manoeuvre with their own symbolic gesture by relocating their leader’s chair.
Currently, NPP MPs are making their way out of the chamber, only to return when Speaker Bagbin enters. Meanwhile, NDC MPs are seen chanting and singing in the chamber, reflecting the heightened political tension surrounding the seating arrangement.
As the situation continues to develop, the dynamics between the NPP and NDC in Parliament remain under close scrutiny, with both parties keenly aware of the implications of their actions on the legislative process.