As Parliament prepares to reconvene on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Ayariga is poised to address the issue directly with the Speaker, highlighting what he sees as contradictions between the ruling and the Parliament’s standing orders.
In an appearance on TV3’s Key Points on October 19, Ayariga remarked on the impending session, saying, “We shall see on Tuesday, regarding the directive from the Supreme Court.
Parliamentarians, including myself, will also be drawing the attention of Parliament to articles 115 and 122 and their consequences.”
He stated that the powers of Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the presidency are all defined by the Constitution, asserting, “It is not only the Supreme Court that is under the constitution, but parliamentarians as well as the presidency.
We all have our powers and rights under the constitution and we are going to exercise those powers and rights.”
This commentary follows the Supreme Court’s decision on October 18, 2024, to issue a stay of execution on Speaker Bagbin’s earlier ruling, which had declared four seats—held by MPs Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kwadjo Asante (Suhum), Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), and Andrew Asiamah (Fomena)—vacant.
The Supreme Court’s directive mandates that these MPs resume their roles, allowing them to fulfill their duties until a final ruling is issued.
The stay was sought through an ex parte application by members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who contested the Speaker’s ruling, which would have huge implications for both their party and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).