Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has asserted that Mahama Ayariga’s removal as Majority Leader could be linked to his disagreement with Speaker Alban Bagbin over the controversial passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.

According to him, on TV3 on August 8, 2026, Ayariga’s position that the bill was validly passed by Parliament could have made it difficult for the Speaker and President John Mahama to push for a reconsideration of the legislation.

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Kpebu said the appointment of James Agalga as Majority Leader could be connected to the disagreement between Ayariga and the Speaker.

“The one that has intrigued me is Agalga’s promotion to that position. Analysts are saying that it appears because Mahama Ayariga challenged Speaker [Bagbin] on the passage of the LGBTQ law, that's how come Ayariga has been removed. You know, the Speaker said the bill had not been passed, and Ayariga too says it's been properly passed.

“And you know how the international community is breathing down our necks on that particular law, so it means that for as long as Ayariga stays as a majority leader, there's going to be a problem going forward with that bill. So it appears very reasonable.

“So they say that it appears it's because of it that Ayariga has been removed so that the proposals that the Speaker has put forward, like the consideration can be done again, etc,” he suggested.

Kpebu said the bill has remained unresolved, warning that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) could face political consequences if the matter is not settled before the next elections.

“You know, the bill has been kept somewhere. We've moved on. But look, we should be careful. If we don't sort out that issue once and for all, the NDC will pay dearly for it. Let's not make a mistake. The opposition are watching. They'll just wait and near elections, they will raise it again so it's better this bill and these issues are dealt with once and for all,” he cautioned.

He said Ayariga’s removal could therefore create room for the reconsideration of the bill, as proposed by the Speaker.

“So my understanding is that this removal is perhaps a paved way for the reconsideration, as the Speaker has mentioned because Ayariga has been very clear that as far as he's aware, the bill has been passed by Parliament. So it's left with the presidential assent but the Speaker is saying otherwise,” he added.

Read what Agalga said after he was appointed as new Majority Leader

Mahama Ayariga was removed as Majority Leader following his nomination as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has suggested that Mahama Ayariga's removal as Majority Leader may be linked to a disagreement with Speaker Alban Bagbin over the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.

Kpebu argued that Ayariga's position that the bill was validly passed would have made it… pic.twitter.com/wlnTxWtNNu

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) August 8, 2026