Parliament Monday had just 28 MPs, about the lowest ever on record for the fourth republic. Parliamentary business went ahead nonetheless despite the fact that the number fell short of the minimum required.
The House is currently on an emergency sitting to allow the controversial Constitutional Instrument on the creation of 45 new constituencies to mature.
At his first attempt to start proceedings at 10:40 Monday morning, First Deputy Speaker, Edward Doe Adjaho could only marshal nine MPs forcing him to suspend sitting for over an hour.
When the house reconvened, 19 more MPs joined the nine bringing the number to 28.
Per parliament’s own standing orders, not less than 79 members would have to be present to form a quorum for the day’s business to begin.
Monday, however, the standing orders were ignored and the House proceeded to discuss the National Health Insurance Bill.