The Chairman of Parliament's Appointment Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, has revealed that the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, played it "smart and safe" during the ministerial vetting chaos.

According to him, the Effutu MP has subtly been orchestrating actions behind the scenes while avoiding direct involvement in controversial moments.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, February 3, the First Deputy Speaker provided insight into how events unfolded and the role key figures played.

“The Minority Leader played it smart and safe. I have heard him asking them to do some of the things that they did, but when they were about to start, he left the room,” the Akatsi South MP recounted.

He described how Afenyo-Markin's absence at critical moments shielded him from direct association with the tensions that erupted.

“It was later that he came back to the room. So, in the actual scene where they were dragging the table and putting the chairs on the table, he was at that material moment not in the room. When he came, he couldn't even move to my left side. He was behind me at my right side.”

Mr Ahiafor further claimed that Jerry Ahmed Shaib, one of the four MPs suspended over the incident, was acting under his leader's direct instruction.

“I know, that Jerry was under his instruction to move to go and stop Mintah Akandoh from taking the seat to the swamp,” he disclosed.

He also revealed that the Minority Leader had given specific directives to his side during the heated exchanges.

“He asked his side that they should all put on the microphone. I have heard him saying they should call some people to come to the vetting room.”

Commenting on the Speaker’s decision to suspend the four MPs involved in the melee, Mr Ahiafor acknowledged that the penalty could have been harsher.

“Was the Speaker charitable to the four suspended MPs engaged in the melee? Well, I believe that danger begets man; the crowd distresses someone for relief.”

He suggested that deeper scrutiny of the issue could have led to even sterner consequences.

“As a matter of fact, if we want to go into the nitty-gritty of this particular matter, they may suffer harsher punishment than the suspension.

"I heard people arguing that the suspension should have been eight days instead of two weeks, and it all boils down to the same thing. Because naturally, the sitting days of Parliament, in a week, is formed.”