NDC Communication team member: Parliament is being too harsh on “loose talking” MP

A member of the ruling National Democratic Congress Communication team, Peter Oto Konor is questioning the need to refer embattled MP for Afram Plains, Emmanuel Aboagye Didieye to the Privileges Committee of Parliament when what he describes as “worse situations” have been let go.

Emmanuel Aboagye Didieye has been referred to the Privileges Committee of Parliament for alleging on Adom Fm last Thursday 17th and Friday 18th March, 2011 that he had evidence to prove that 80% of his male colleagues were womanizers.

According to him, most of his colleagues MPs are often seen with young girls in their cars. This, he says proves his claim that many of the country’s legislators are womanizers.

The MPs on both side of the House have been livid with the comments and expressed disgust at their colleague’s unguarded statement. Hon Didieye has since apologized to Ghanaians and his colleagues.

However, Peter Konor wondered why the MP had been made a scapegoat when other perpetrators of worse comments are left off the hook. Inasmuch as he would condemn Hon Didieye’s unguarded statement, Mr Konor said that is not basis enough for the referral, more so when he had apologized.

“Being a womanizer is not a good thing especially when you are a leader. He says 80% of Parliamentarians are womanizers; it could be true. The fact is that, something like this, you should not say it on radio; I have a problem with that. But he has been very quick to retract and apologise to his colleagues. I hear he is being referred to the Privileges Committee; are we serious in this country?

There have been worse situations in this country with MP’s making derogatory comments which seem to bring the name of parliament into disrepute”. Citing a number of instances, like the Minority Leader’s refusal to see off President John Mills after delivering his state of nation address, Mr Konor wondered why he had not been referred to the committee. “P.C. Appiah Ofori went all the way to insult the chiefs in the Central Region, and he stood by his points for several months.

He has not still apologized and he has never been drawn to the Privileges Committee”. “But an MP makes such a comment; does a quick apology and yet you try to draw him to the Privileges Committee; because he mentioned some parliamentarians.”

Mr Oto Konor said the behavior of the MP’s smacked of hypocrisy, further asking, “so does it mean that we the ordinary people who are not parliamentarians, if any MP say any derogatory remarks against us, they do not care?”

Source: Xfm