The Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adzaho, has been petitioned to reject President John Dramani Mahama’s nomination of John Oti Bless as a Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

Signed by Richard Asante Yeboah, an activist of the New Patriotic Party, the petition cited the Member of Parliament for Nkwanta North Constituency as also making disparaging comments about the Chief Justice on Montie FM.

The radio station had two of its panellists and a host sentenced to four months in prison after being found guilty of contempt against the Supreme Court.

“It is instructive to recall, that one of the jailed panellists, Godwin Ako Gunn, referred to these submissions by Hon John Oti Bless and based on them to make the comments that has seen him jailed for contempt,” the petition noted.

The nomination of Mr Oti Bless has already been put on hold, pending certificates he has to show the Vetting and Appointments Committee from the West African Examinations Council (Waec).

But the petition is seeking an outright rejection of his nomination.

“It is my cherished hope that parliament would not endorsed this total affront to our democracy and which would be a further spit in the face of the lady Chief and the Judiciary.”

The nominee is said to have attacked the Chief Justice prior to Mr Ako Gunn’s remarks on Pampaso. Ten copies of the audio recording of Mr Oti Bless’ remarks were attached to the petition.