The First Deputy Minority Whip, Habib Iddrisu, has criticised President John Mahama for requesting the Majority Leader and Majority Chief Whip to withdraw a Private Members’ Bill seeking to abolish the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

Mr Iddrisu described the move as “executive control” over the legislature, warning that the development undermines parliamentary independence.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, December 11, Mr Iddrisu said the President had gone beyond his constitutional limits.

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“Mr Speaker, because of the inadequate releases to Parliament and the executive wanting to control Parliament, now the President is dictating to Members of Parliament. When the Majority Chief Whip and the Majority Leader intend to file a Private Member’s Bill, the President is telling them to reduce it,” he said.

“We have the official letter from the presidency. He has instructed that they should withdraw it. Mr Speaker, the executive has no authority to dictate what happens in Parliament.”

His comments follow a request from President Mahama asking Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor to suspend their attempt to introduce the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Repeal) Bill, 2025.

A statement signed by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed the development.

“President John Dramani Mahama has requested the Majority Leader and Majority Chief Whip in Parliament to withdraw the Private Member’s Bill tabled for the repeal of the Act establishing the Office of Special Prosecutor,” the statement said.

• Read also: It’s premature to call for the scrapping of OSP – President Mahama

The President’s request, according to the statement, follows his public affirmation that the OSP must be strengthened, not abolished, after meeting with the National Peace Council on Wednesday, December 10.

He also reiterated his call for the OSP to boost public confidence by aggressively tackling corruption in line with its mandate.