Ghana’s Parliament is in turmoil as Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin publicly accuses Speaker Alban Bagbin of betrayal. In a candid interview on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo morning show, Afenyo-Markin expressed his frustration and disappointment with Bagbin, whom he claims failed to honor assurances during a critical political crisis.
The controversy centers around a petition filed by Haruna Iddrisu, a senior figure in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), urging Speaker Bagbin to declare four parliamentary seats vacant. These seats were held by MPs who opted to run as independents in the upcoming elections, a move the NDC deemed grounds for removal. Afenyo-Markin revealed that he had approached Bagbin, cautioning him about the potential repercussions of endorsing the petition. Bagbin, he claimed, assured him that there would be no endorsement, a promise Afenyo-Markin relied on to maintain parliamentary stability.
However, Afenyo-Markin felt deceived when Bagbin’s stance appeared to waver. “I trusted him,” Afenyo-Markin said, his frustration evident. “We spoke about it, and he gave me his word. He knew the risks, he knew what was at stake, and still, here we are”. Feeling betrayed, Afenyo-Markin decided to take the matter to the Supreme Court, seeking a judicial ruling to clarify the boundaries between party loyalty and independence.
The situation has escalated tensions within Parliament, with Afenyo-Markin’s revelations painting a vivid picture of the distrust simmering within the legislative body. As the political crisis unfolds, the integrity and stability of Ghana’s Parliament hang in the balance.
