Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has iterated his confidence in Speaker Alban Bagbin to be neutral and impartial in the execution of his duties.
Speaking at a thanksgiving event held in honour of Alban Bagbin in the Waala Traditional Area of the Upper West Region, Mr Iddrisu seized the opportunity to remind the Speaker of his pledge before Parliament to do right to all manner of persons irrespective of one's political affiliation.
"We have the 7th Speaker of the 8th Parliament, not just the ordinary but the most experienced among our group, the most qualified among our group in whom we trust that he will be fair and firm as Speaker of Ghana and not just any political group in Ghana.
"I can only today remind Mr Speaker of his oath that 'I will do right to all manner of persons without any affection or ill will. A honourous obligation he himself accepted before Parliament when he pledged that he will be neutral and impartial," he said.
His comments come after statements by Majority leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu indicating that the Speaker is turning the House into an enclave for the NDC.
According to the Tamale South legislator, his faith in the Speaker to rebrand the reputation of the Legislature, to make it an "accountable, responsive and transparent institution" remains ablaze.
"I have faith in Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin and I have faith that he would lead the reforms that this country needs particularly for Parliament - to make Parliament a more responsive, accountable and transparent institution that contributes to improving the well being and quality of the Ghanaian."
Mr Iddrisu also revealed that although he was advised by rank and file of the NDC to aspire for the Speaker position, he declined such propositions because he believed Alban Bagbin was destined for the position.
“A group of NDC MPs led by Mahama Ayariga, some of our colleagues and my able whip Muntaka Mubarak had come to my office to lure me and to encourage me to run for the position of Speaker. Without any hesitation, I declined their bait."
"I knew in my heart that God will have His favour on one of us. In a meeting with the NDC highest leadership, somewhere in the offices of President Mahama… I said to the group that my candidate for Speaker was amongst us and pointed to Honourable Alban Bagbin and the Honorable Asiedu Nketia. Before I could finish speaking, Aseidu Nketia held the hand of honourable Bagbin strongly and said it should be Honourable Bagbin,'" he narrated.
For the Minority leader, the victory chalked by Alban Bagbin on January 6 and 7, against his contender Professor Mike Oquaye is the doing of the Lord after serving several reputable offices in the governance of the country.
"What else could God have done for you on the 6th and 7th of January having seen it all as Minority Leader, Majority leader, Minister of state. God could only zenith your career with the high office of number 3, the Speaker of Ghana's Parliament," he added.
He admitted that although the past few days have been challenging for both the Speaker and himself, as a Minority leader, "he is only successful to the extent that I can work and influence minimum cooperation from the Majority."
He, therefore, pledged his unwavering support and also on behalf of the Minority Group to ensure the objectives and goals set by the Speaker come to fruition.
"You can count on my personal support, the collective support of Parliament and in particular the support of the Minority Group," he stated.
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