The Leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has defended his decision to seek Supreme Court intervention over the Speaker of Parliament’s ruling that declared four parliamentary seats vacant.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, November 7, Mr Afenyo-Markin clarified that his approach was not an act of bad faith but rather a means to ensure clarity and prevent potential confusion within the parliamentary proceedings.

He explained that his visit to the Supreme Court aimed to secure an interpretation of the Speaker's ruling to maintain order in the House.

Mr Afenyo-Markin emphasised his transparency in discussing the matter with the Speaker beforehand, noting that he foresaw possible discord arising from the ruling.

“….I was fair enough and transparent to engage him [Speaker] as the head of this assembly that because Haruna had raised the issue and to avoid confusion, I was going to the Supreme Court to seek interpretation. I did not go to the Supreme Court in bad faith and it wasn’t the case that a matter was happening in Parliament and I ran away from Parliament to the Supreme Court to seek refuge. No. I foresaw confusion,” he explained.

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This comes after the Speaker expressed frustration over what he describes as legislators’ growing habit of seeking the Supreme Court's intervention on parliamentary issues.

According to him, this situation undermines the authority and respect of the legislative body and called on lawmakers to demonstrate greater loyalty to Parliament and limit appeals to external judicial intervention.

But Mr Afenyo-Markin questioned the process leading to the Speaker’s ruling, arguing that Haruna Iddrisu, an opposition MP, initially acted under Order 99 of Parliament’s rules, which requires specific procedures.

However, the matter was shifted to Order 93, which he argued traditionally allows for statements, not rulings that escalate into motions.

"When in the history of this Parliament since 1992 did a statement metamorphose into a motion which now will require a ruling?"

Additionally, the Effutu MP expressed concern over the Speaker's recent actions, accusing him of adopting a divisive approach rather than fostering unity within Parliament.

According to him, the NPP MPs are disappointed with his non-reconciliatory posture through his presser on Wednesday.

He urged the Speaker to adopt a more statesmanlike stance, adding that "Speaker of setting the country on fire."

“We want Mr Speaker to know that although we were not happy on the day he was elected, some of our colleagues perhaps has seen something good in him. It wasn’t the NDC that put him there for him to do their bidding. Perhaps, people felt that he could be someone who will unite us all… Mr Speaker is hurting democracy,” he added.