Peter Ayinbisa, the Upper East Regional Communications Director for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has questioned the qualifications of some Members of Parliament (MPs), suggesting that certain individuals may not be fit to hold office. His comments came as he expressed concerns over the recent chaos in Parliament during the vetting of ministerial nominees.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr. Ayinbisa noted that while MPs are expected to be of sound mind, the chaotic events in Parliament raised doubts about the fitness of some to perform their duties effectively. He pointed out that MPs should serve as role models for the public, leading lives worthy of emulation. He also stressed that their actions should inspire others to aspire to similar leadership roles.
“We don’t expect MPs to behave in this manner. They are supposed to live lives worthy of emulation. They are supposed to be people that others should see and say, ‘Yes, these are people I want to grow up to become.’”
Mr. Ayinbisa remarked that the chaos might have been avoided if Parliament had stuck to the original plan of vetting three candidates in that particular session. He believes that had the session ended after the third vetting, the situation would not have escalated. He explained that the disruption arose when the minority side called for a break, proposing to continue vetting the remaining nominees, including Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the following day.
Regarding the suspension of MPs and the subsequent lifting of the suspension by Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Mr. Ayinbisa was critical of the Speaker’s actions, describing them as an overreach of his authority. While acknowledging that the Speaker appeared to embrace a disciplinarian role, Mr. Ayinbisa argued that such actions were inappropriate for a parliamentary setting.
He emphasized that the Speaker did not possess the power to unilaterally suspend MPs, as parliamentary rules require such matters to be referred to the Privileges Committee for review. According to Mr. Ayinbisa, the Speaker’s decision was not only improper but also unlawful.
“This Speaker wants to be a headmaster, and he himself acknowledges that, but we are not in the animal kingdom. He doesn’t have the power to put himself in that situation where he can do whatever he wants. He is acting upon the rules governing Parliament, and for me, what the Speaker did—just like many people have said—is wrong. He doesn’t have the power or the capacity to do that. In the past, when something of that nature happened, the person was referred to the Privileges Committee to deal with it.”
“It is illegal,” he added.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
