NPP MP begs Haruna Iddrisu not to force MPs from their seats after crossing carpets

• Mpraeso MP Davis Opoku Ansah has said he disagrees with the minority’s decision to compel MPs who crossed the mats to vacate their parliamentary seats.
• He said their exclusion from Parliament so close to the elections would deprive their constituents of representation in Parliament.
• He pleaded with Haruna Iddrisu and the minority not to trigger section 97(1)(g) of the constitution.

Mpraeso MP Davis Opoku Ansah has rejected calls urging New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs running as independent candidates to vacate their parliamentary seats.

This follows the announcement by former minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, of the minority’s decision to invoke section 97(1)(g) of the constitution to compel the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin , to declare these seats vacant.

Article 97(1)(g) of the Constitution states that MPs who resign from their party or run as independents may lose their seats in Parliament.

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However, reacting to Haruna Iddrisu’s assertion, Davis Opoku Ansah said forcing the President to declare these seats vacant would be unconstitutional.

He argued that the NPP MPs who decided to contest as independent candidates were duly elected as MPs by their various constituencies and therefore those constituencies cannot be denied representation in Parliament by this action.

He urged Haruna Iddrisu and the NDC not to activate this clause as it could cause significant problems in the already hung parliament.

In 2020, the same clause was triggered by the NPP party in Parliament against the Fomena MP who decided to run as an independent candidate.

Reacting to this, Davis said he disagreed with his party’s position and the subsequent expulsion of Fomena MP Andrew Asiamoah Amoako from parliament.

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MEPs will be affected by Article 97(1)(G)

Four MPs will be affected if the NDC continues its action.

Among the four MPs is the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Fomena MP, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, who has decided to contest the Fomena seat again on the NPP ticket.

Cynthia Mamle Morison of Agona West and Kwadwo Asante of Suhum who have both decided to run as independent candidates in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

The fourth MP is an NDC member who decided to become independent in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

Cynthia Morrison faces legal hurdle

YEN.com.gh reported that Cynthia Morrison, an independent parliamentary candidate in the Agona West election, was not allowed to participate in the election.

Morrison is currently a New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP, but is breaking ranks for the election.

Morrison lost his bid to represent the NPP after finishing 5th with 152 votes in the constituency’s parliamentary primaries.

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Reviewed by Berlinda Entsie, journalist and editor-in-chief at YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh