Chaos In Parliament

There was a standoff in Parliament Friday, February 07, 2003, as the majority side told the Speaker in clear terms: “You can’t bend the law.”

The members protested vehemently against minority leader, Alban Bagbin who wanted to make a statement in reaction to “allegations” made against him by the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Peter Ala Adjetey at Thursday’s sitting of the House.

Mr. Ala Adjetey who had the benefit of reading the minority leader’s statement told the House that although the contents attack him and questions his conduct, he was prepared to “shut” his eyes to the Standing Orders of the House to allow Mr. Bagbin to make the statement, saying, “I will not be a judge in my own case.”

The Standing Orders of the House say in clear terms that the conduct of the Speaker cannot be questioned by any Member, except by a substantive motion. It would therefore be improper for the minority leader to read his statement, which sought to question the conduct of the Speaker in regards to matters he (Speaker) raised during Thursday’s sitting of the House in the Wulensi saga.

Even before the minority leader could finish his introductory remarks, the Member for Okaikoi North, Mr. Darko Mensah rose on a point of order and drew the House’s attention to the relevant Order, which prevents any member from questioning the conduct of the Speaker.

Although the Speaker ruled that he was ready to bend the rules in order to allow the member to make the statement, the majority members protested vehemently against the rather “unusual ruling”, saying, “we won’t allow him to make the statement else we set a bad precedence in this House.

In his ruling, the Speaker noted, “In strict legalities, this statement ought not to be made, but I don’t want the work of this House to be held up because of the disagreement between him and the minority leader.” He added, “This is an unusual ruling, but I am ready to shut my eyes to the Standing Orders.”

Not even Mr. Bagbin’s explanation that his statement does not contain any attacks on the conduct of the Speaker could convince the majority side. There was chaos in the House compelling the Speaker to suspend proceedings for thirty minutes.

When the House resumed sitting some few minutes to 2.00 pm, the majority side moved a motion to bring proceedings of the day to a close, much to the chagrin of the minority side which insists that its leader should have been allowed to response to what they described as insulting statements from the Speaker.

As at the time of filing this report, the minority side, which did not succeed in convincing the House to continue proceedings and get Bagbin to deliver his statement, was locked up in a meeting in the Chamber.

Sitting has been adjourned to Wednesday, next week, but it is not immediately known what steps the minority side will take.

Meanwhile, the president is scheduled to present the State of the Nation Address Thursday next week.