Social Commentator and former Central regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress(NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs has alleged that there is an ulterior motive behind the declaration of four vacant seats in parliament by the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin.
According to Allotey Jacobs, the declaration of vacant seats is a deliberate attempt of the NDC to prepare the minds of Ghanaians ahead of their looming defeat in the December 7, 2024, Presidential and parliamentary elections.
During a panel discussion on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' morning show on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Allotey Jacobs claimed that the declaration of vacant seats is a mere agitation and propaganda.
"There is a something underneath this decision that has been taken by the Speaker of Parliament. There is a devil in it and that devil is to use the constitution, thus, the Parliamentary system as a bullet to fire the current government; and in one way or the other, it is to create chaos and anarchy, but Ghanaians have reasons and surely, Ghanaians will reason," Allotey Jacobs said.
Allotey Jacobs’s statement comes amid controversies surrounding the declaration of vacant seats by the Speaker of parliament, Alban Bagbin. The declaration has led to an impasse in parliament leading to a halt in parliamentary proceedings for a month.
Speaking further, Bernard Allotey Jacobs opines that the December elections is going to be won by the vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, adding that there is nothing anyone can do about it.
"There is a sinister motive behind the vacation of four Parliamentary seats. It is not normal. No matter what happens on 7th December, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is going to be the President of Ghana. They know!
Ghanaians have reasoning abilities and they reason. If something untoward comes up, we shall speak against it. That is why there have been coups in this country but has never been successful because Ghanaians will fight against it. No matter what it is, you will go back to constitutional rules," he stated.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Ghana, presided over by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, in a 5-2 ruling, described Speaker Bagbin’s declaration of vacant seat unconstitutional.
Reacting to the Supreme Court’s ruling, Allotey Jacobs called on the Speaker to submit himself to the rulings of the Supreme court and reconvene Parliament so that government business could be executed to the betterment of all and sundry.
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