Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has insisted he will complete his term as Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
The statement follows a petition by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, who asked the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, to refer Afenyo-Markin to the Privileges Committee. Ayariga alleged that Afenyo-Markin had defied a parliamentary resolution that removed him from Ghana’s ECOWAS delegation.
Earlier in November, the ECOWAS Parliament reportedly refused to swear in Ghana’s delegation after Afenyo-Markin appeared in Port Harcourt despite his replacement. The matter was only resolved after Ghana threatened to withdraw entirely from the regional body.
Speaker Bagbin has directed the Privileges Committee to investigate the complaint while urging MPs to maintain professionalism and avoid public commentary on the matter.
Giving his concluding statement as Parliament rose for the year on Friday December 19, Afenyo-Markin emphasised his commitment to his role and urged restraint from colleagues.
“May we return in the new year with the renewed energy, clearer purpose and deeper commitment to serving the people who sent us here and hoping that the honourable first deputy speaker will resist the temptation of hauling the minority leader before a so called privileges committee.
“The minority leader will insist on his rights on serving his full term as a third deputy speaker at the ECOWAS parliament. Therefore it is our prayer that the first deputy speaker and his committee will resist all temptations at being pushed to do that which is never done in any democracy,” Afenyo-Markin stressed.
The Minority Leader insisted that he had not disrespected any parliamentary order, noting that the ECOWAS Parliament had rejected a resolution seeking his removal.
“The minority leader has not disrespected any order of this house. Indeed the ECOWAS Parliament rejected outrightly the resolution that sought to remove the minority leader from his seat as an ECOWAS MP.”
“You can remove the Chief Justice, you can remove others who are political appointees, but not his bona fide right as a member of ECOWAS Parliament and a third deputy speaker. He shall remain until April 2028 when his tenure comes to an end,” he stated.
Source: citinewsroom.com
