Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has defended his decision to challenge Speaker Alban Bagbin in court over the declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant. He argued that with no room for compromise, seeking Supreme Court intervention became the most viable option.

Speaking on the issue, Afenyo-Markin explained that his assertive approach was necessary due to the political deadlock. “I was alone, and I had to carry everything on my shoulders. Seeing me boisterous, seeing me punching, it was a necessary intervention,” he stated.

He dismissed claims that he should have negotiated instead of resorting to legal action. “All doors were completely shut to any form of engagement,” he emphasized, suggesting that the Speaker’s stance was influenced by his ties to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Afenyo-Markin further argued that allowing the Speaker’s ruling to stand would have significantly altered the balance of power in Parliament, giving the opposition control over legislative affairs. “What that meant practically was that there could be no government business. Leadership of committees would have to change, altering committee compositions,” he explained.

With elections approaching, he maintained that he had no choice but to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation to prevent what he described as a political maneuver by the opposition. “If it had been allowed to stand, the new majority would have dictated to the government what it should do. And our friends were eager to play that political game,” he concluded.