Supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have converged at Parliament House, as the tension over the leadership structure intensifies following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s recent declaration regarding vacant parliamentary seats.
Both NPP and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament have now positioned themselves on the majority side, leaving the minority side of the chamber unoccupied.
According to JoyNews reports, over ten Sprinter buses transported hundreds of eager NPP supporters, many of whom donned party-branded clothing and paraphernalia. Most of these supporters were reportedly from the constituency of NPP Caucus Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh.
The leadership crisis was triggered on October 17 when Speaker Bagbin announced that four parliamentary seats—three belonging to the NPP and one to the NDC—were vacant, thereby shifting the balance of power. With the NDC claiming 136 seats against the NPP’s 135, the opposition declared itself the majority, causing chaos in the House as both parties wrestled for control.
On October 18, the Supreme Court intervened, issuing a stay of execution on Speaker Bagbin’s ruling, allowing the four MPs to retain their seats and continue performing their parliamentary duties until the matter is fully resolved. Despite this legal ruling, the NDC remains resolute, insisting that it retains the majority, contending that Parliament is an independent institution beyond the reach of judicial interference.
This impasse has generated uncertainty within the legislative body, with legal experts offering varying interpretations. As Parliament resumes its session, attention is focused on how the situation will be resolved, particularly in light of the large turnout of NPP supporters expressing solidarity with their party leaders.