The Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Haruna Mohammed, has stated that the current Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, should not be involved in discussions about the Ninth Parliament.
During a recent engagement on GHOne TV, Mohammed explained that Bagbin’s recent comments on matters concerning the yet-to-be-formed Ninth Parliament are out of order.
“Bagbin should shut up; he is not going to be a Speaker in the Ninth Parliament. This is not the time for him to be talking. He is the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament, so he has no business making such statements about the Ninth Parliament. He should wait until he becomes the Speaker in the next Parliament, if that happens,” he noted.
Mohammed also criticised Bagbin’s legal understanding of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) role in parliamentary swearing-in processes.
“When the EC declares someone a winner, it does not immediately qualify them to be sworn-in by the Speaker. The Returning Officer must prepare a writ, which is then commissioned and gazetted by the EC. Only the gazette allows the Speaker to swear in MPs. As a lawyer, Bagbin should know better than to make such misleading statements,” he said.
The NPP deputy general secretary cautioned against making quick pronouncements that could undermine the legal framework of the state.
“We cannot jump in and make reckless statements in this country. Today, you may celebrate, but tomorrow you might not be able to defend your actions. The NDC should avoid playing games with the law and focus on respecting established processes.
“Let’s not joke with the law. Let’s respect the legal framework and maintain the status quo. It is imperative to uphold the laws of this country and respect the intellectuals who interpret and enforce them,” he added.
Mohammed stressed the importance of adhering to legal protocols and refraining from actions that could create unnecessary controversies.
“Let us respect the laws of this country and ensure their consistent application,” he emphasised.
Speaker Bagbin on December 28, 2024, stated that parliamentary candidates whose results were annulled by the Supreme Court on Friday, December 27, 2024, are not eligible to be sworn in as Members of Parliament on January 6, 2025.
This statement by the speaker has received stern objections from the NPP who believe that the speaker cannot say such, since it is not ascertained that he will be the speaker of the ninth Parliament.
