The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, believes the happening in Parliament, which has seen the NDC suddenly becoming the Majority side, is an indication of the victory that awaits the party in the December 7 general elections.

The NDC Members of Parliament, who until Thursday, October 17, 2024, were the Minority Caucus of Parliament of Ghana in the 8th Parliament, are now on the other side of the House—the Majority.

The unprecedented move and change happened after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, declared four seats in the House vacant.

It follows a move by the NDC MPs on the Speaker, based on Article 97 [1(g) & (h)] of the 1992 Constitution, which states that “A member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament if he leaves the party of which he was a member at the time of his election to Parliament to join another party or seeks to remain in Parliament as an independent member; or if he was elected a member of Parliament as an independent candidate and joins a political party.”

The former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, had earlier announced the intent of his caucus to invoke Article 97(g) and demand that the seats of three New Patriotic Party MPs and that of an MP from the National Democratic Congress caucus be declared vacant.

The move by Haruna Iddrisu comes after the MPs for Agona West and Suhum, who are members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), filed their nominations to contest in the 2024 parliamentary election as independent candidates.

The independent MP for Fomena has also filed his nomination to contest in the election on the ticket of the NPP, and the Amenfi Central MP, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), also filed his nomination to contest as an independent candidate.

Article 97 [1(g) & (h)] of the 1992 Constitution states that “a member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament if he leaves the party of which he was a member at the time of his election to Parliament to join another party or seeks to remain in Parliament as an independent member; or if he was elected a member of Parliament as an independent candidate and joins a political party.”

Reacting to the news while on a campaign tour in the Kpone-Katamanso constituency on Thursday, October 17, 2024, John Mahama welcomed the decision, adding that it is a clear indication that the NDC will win the forthcoming elections.

"The Speaker has declared 4 seats vacant. Of the 4 seats, 3 are from the NPP and 1 from the NDC. So, if those seats have been declared vacant, then it means in the life of one parliament, the Minority has turned to the Majority and the Majority has turned to the Minority.

"So, for me, God is even showing a sign of what is going to happen. Because even before we have cast one single ballot, the NDC has become the Majority," John Mahama stated.

KA

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