The debate of the President State of the Nation has seen the absence of the Minority caucus in Parliament.
On 20th February, 2020, Members of Parliament (MPs) of the main opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) staged a walk out in Parliament before the fourth State of the Nation Address by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, hence did not participate in the hearing process.
They cited matters of insecurity, injustice and nepotism by the President and his government for their boycott of the State of the Nation Address
To drum home of their displeasure, the minority has decided to abstain as well not to partake in the debate on the floor of Parliament.
Speaking on the issue, the Minority Chief Whip, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak told Parliament that, in keeping with the principle of their boycott of the President’s address, they have waved their right to second the motion on the matter and to abstain from the debate.
“Our principle is that we are not participating in this. We will not be speaking to this,” he told the House.
A Press Conference addressed by the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrissu, said they had walked out because of the “fascist and authoritarian tendencies” of the President.
As evidence to the minority’s claim, the Minority Leader cited the President’s alleged support of the Electoral Commission (EC) in the compilation of a new voters register against all advice from some political parties, CSOs and opinion leaders; his refusal to implement the report findings of the Emile Short Commission on the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence; and the persecution of business men associated with the NDC.
As a result of that, there was a one sided debate in the House by the Majority side while the Minority Members only sat in their seats listening to them.
The Majority Members who spoke on the matter on the Floor took the opportunity of the abstainance of the Minority to cast innuendos at them in order to provoke them into calling for a point of order, but they restrained themselves until the debate was suspended for the day.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com/ Delali Gavor
