Former President John Dramani Mahama has emphatically stated that the Members of Parliament for the National Democratic Congress will not respond to any parliamentary recall after their recent walkout from Parliament. At a party event on Monday, Mahama said the actions of the NDC MPs were a protest against what he termed "unconstitutional conduct" by the majority party in the legislature.
Mahama’s statement follows a call from the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for MPs to return to the chamber after a contentious session where the NDC MPs staged a walkout in protest of the approval of certain government policies, including controversial tax and budgetary measures. The NDC has accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of using undemocratic means to push through legislation without proper consultations and without addressing the concerns of the opposition.
The Speaker had earlier warned that any absence by MPs, particularly during important voting sessions, could amount to parliamentary recall to ensure that house business continues uninterrupted. However, Mahama rejected the insinuation, stressing that what the NDC MPs were doing was not only in protest against the government but also for constitutional integrity.
"The NDC MPs acting in defence of democracy and the rule of law; they are not going to be intimidated by any of these recalls and threats. This is our stance; we shall not allow Parliament to become a rubber stamp of the Executive," Mahama said.
He noted that the government's attitude in handling parliamentary proceedings defeats the principle of checks and balances and that the NDC would therefore continue to use every available constitutional avenue to hold the government accountable.
This political tension mounts as the NPP and NDC point accusing fingers at each other over the legitimacy of parliamentary processes. With the 2024 general elections close, Mahama's statement is likely to stir the pot further and demonstrate that polarization between the two big political parties is growing.
The outlook for parliamentary cooperation remains murky, as many eyes will be focused on how the NDC and the Speaker navigate this political impasse in continued debate.
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