Haruna Iddrisu rejects new seat in Parliament
The former Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu has rejected the new seat allocated to him in Parliament after he was removed by the executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the leader of the caucus.
The MP for Tamale South was offered a seat previously occupied by Asutifi South MP Collins Dauda, but said he is unable to accept a seat belonging to his senior in the lawmaking chamber.
The former leader whose removal sparked controversies among his colleagues had to partake in Thursday’s business of the House from the seat of the First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu on the Majority side.
“I have to assume your chair [sic] there was whether I should take over from Honourable Collins Duada or yours,” he told Osei-Owusu, who was then presiding, when it was his turn to make a submission in the House. “And I told them that Honourable Collins Dauda is senior by age even to this House. I will not sit in his chair as somebody who is well trained from home.”
“So, any other chair will be accepted by me. Mr. Speaker, I am still the elected Member of Parliament for the people of Tamale South, I thank you,” he added.
Mahama intervenes
Meanwhile, former president John Mahama has reportedly resolved the impasse of the sole opposition party in Parliament after the national executives made changes to the leadership.
Cassiel Ato Forson, the National Democratic Congress MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, has replaced Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader in Parliament.
A statement issued by the NDC on Tuesday (24 January 2023), said the MP for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, will now act as the deputy Minority leader.
Governs Kwame Agbodza has been appointed as the Minority Whip, with Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyo Ghansah designated as the first and second deputy whips.
The NDC reshuffle sparked violent protests in the constituency of the MP for Asawase, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, who happens to be the former Minority Whip. Over 70 NDC lawmakers have petitioned the council of elders to reverse the decision.
However, in a Facebook post, Mubarak said former president Mahama on Saturday met with them over the issue, adding his intervention has brought an end to the matter.
“To all our supporters within and without. I had a lengthy meeting with my big brother, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday evening over the parliamentary reshuffle. I want to first of all thank him for the words of advice and encouragement to me as a younger brother,” Muntaka wrote on Facebook.
“His Excellency’s intervention has brought an end to all the brouhaha associated with the reshuffle. We are for the interest of our party NDC.
“We need to move on as a party and channel all our energies towards 2024 elections. I thank all our chiefs, queen mothers, Imams, supporters for your prayers and solidarity. I pray for Allah’s guidance in all our affairs. Long live NDC, long live Ghana,” he added.
