Members of Parliament (MPs) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have abandoned the parliamentary chamber as they await a decisive directive from the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, regarding the occupancy of seats and the status of the parliamentary majority.
The peaceful walkout occurred following a growing standoff between the NPP majority caucus and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), who now claim the majority side of Parliament after the Speaker's controversial declaration that four parliamentary seats had been vacated.
The Core of the Dispute On October 17, Speaker Alban Bagbin declared the seats for Fomena, Amenfi Central, Suhum, and Agona West vacant, citing Article 97(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution, which concerns MPs who declare their intentions to contest as independents or under a different party banner.
This ruling came after Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson questioned the continued occupancy of these seats.