The Supreme Court will, on March 9, rule whether a Deputy Speaker can be counted for a quorum and vote on a matter when presiding the House in the absence of the Speaker.
The apex court’s decision is to bring finality to the contention between the Minority and Majority over the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu’s decision to count himself as an MP for the Majority to get the 138 members it needed as a quorum to approve the 2022 Budget statement on November 30, 2021.
Before this, Speaker Alban Bagbin and the Minority had rejected the budget statement in the absence of the Majority. This implies that the First Deputy Speaker overruled a ruling by the Speaker.
In justifying why Parliament’s approval of the 2022 budget cannot be described as unconstitutional, Joesph Osei-Owusu said he does not lose his right as a legislator when presiding in the House in the absence of the unavailable Speaker.
“A few matters I’d want to clarify. First, it must be clear that a Deputy Speaker is not a Speaker. Mr Speaker is not a Member of Parliament. I am a Member of Parliament. The Second Deputy Speaker is an MP, and our role is to assist the Speaker in managing this House.
“But when Mr Speaker is not available, either of us could preside on the House, so can any other member if necessary. Any other member can be elected by the House to preside. That member does not lose his right to be a member of the House. That is what our Standing Order says,” he stated.
He stressed that his actions did not contravene the Standing Orders as suggested by Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.
The First Deputy Speaker noted that no breach occurred since he did not vote.
“When it comes to the question of voting, it is very clear anytime any of the Deputy speakers or any other member elected to preside is in the chair, that member does not vote. That has never been in dispute. I did not vote while presiding.”
Despite the explanation, the Minority insisted the Deputy Speaker breached the standing orders. Mr Haurna Iddirsu based his assertions on Article 104 (3) of the Constitution and standing order 109 of Parliament.
Since the budget was approved in the absence of the Minority, Mr Iddrisu then moved a motion to reverse the approval of the 2022 budget that occurred in the absence of the Minority.
The motion was, however, overruled by the First Deputy Speaker. This led to chaos in the chamber as both sides of the House faced off.
Latest Stories
-
Cash Waterfall Mechanism report shows significant non-compliance with formula for revenue allocation – Report
4 mins -
Prison officer injured in clash with soldiers in Bawku
7 mins -
SSNIT reserves projected to hit zero in 12 years – ILO
12 mins -
Prestigious Nigerian school closed over bullying reports
16 mins -
Funny Face failed to perform at my show after taking money – Parrot Mouth
22 mins -
CAFCC: Sports Minister to offer Dreams FC a ‘surprise’ package before Zamalek clash
34 mins -
CAF awards 3-0 win to RS Berkane, after Algerian customs confiscated their kits
49 mins -
AgriTech challenge pro holds first pitch
54 mins -
UNIDO commits to improving local rice standards
55 mins -
Suleja prison: 108 inmates on the run in Nigeria
57 mins -
We object to government’s plans to make BEST sole off-taker of Sentuo Oil Refinery – CBOD
1 hour -
Burkina Faso army massacred 223 villagers in revenge attack – HRW
1 hour -
Lebanese Community awards ¢100K in scholarships to 21 students at UniMAC
1 hour -
Germany detains alleged Nigerian mafia members
1 hour -
Manhyia Palace hosts royals, dignitaries from Ghana and beyond at special Awukudee
1 hour