Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has expressed his hope that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, will respect the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the four vacant parliamentary seats. According to Blay, failure to do so would not only be surprising but would also challenge the fundamental principle of the rule of law in Ghana.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Monday, October 21, Blay emphasized the critical role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the country’s laws. He pointed out that the separation of powers in Ghana’s government structure requires each branch to respect the jurisdiction of the others. In this case, Parliament, led by Speaker Bagbin, must abide by the Court’s decision regarding the vacant seats.
Blay stressed that the Supreme Court holds the exclusive right to interpret the constitution and other laws of the land, and any ruling it gives must be followed by all other state institutions, including Parliament. He expressed his confidence that Speaker Bagbin, a seasoned lawyer, understands the legal framework well enough to recognize the importance of adhering to the ruling.
“I will be extremely surprised if the speaker does not obey the Supreme Court decision because it is the Supreme Court that interprets laws, and its ruling is as simple as any other thing,” Blay stated. “There is a separation of powers, but the three organs of government all have a role to play, and the role of interpretation is purely the role of the Supreme Court. The House has to obey its decision.”
Blay was clear in his belief that the Speaker would not challenge the authority of the Supreme Court. He noted that Bagbin’s legal background, as well as his extensive experience in politics, makes it unlikely that he would defy the ruling.
“I will be surprised, and I don’t think he [Speaker Bagbin] will defy the Supreme Court’s ruling because he is a lawyer, understands the law, and must abide by the ruling,” Blay added.
The Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the Speaker’s earlier declaration of four vacant parliamentary seats has generated significant discussion, both within the political space and among legal experts. The ruling has the potential to shift the balance of power in Parliament, particularly if the affected seats belong to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Amidst these discussions, there have been suggestions that a tense showdown could take place when Parliament reconvenes on Tuesday, October 22. Some speculate that this could lead to a confrontation between the legislative body and the judiciary, especially if there is a refusal to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
However, Blay dismissed the likelihood of any such conflict. He argued that the Speaker’s initial ruling had already been overturned by the highest court, and as a result, Parliament should simply wait for the Court’s final determination on the matter. In his view, the judiciary’s ruling on the case should stand unchallenged, thus avoiding any potential constitutional crisis.
“The Speaker gave a ruling, and the Supreme Court overturned that decision,” Blay said. “The best course of action is to wait on the court to make a determination on the matter.”
While the NPP’s former chairman remains optimistic that Speaker Bagbin will comply with the ruling, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has maintained its own stance on the matter. The opposition party believes that with the Speaker’s initial declaration of the four seats as vacant, its Members of Parliament now have the majority in the House. The NDC has made it clear that its MPs will take their place on the majority side when Parliament reconvenes, a move that could further complicate the situation.
According to the NDC, Bagbin’s declaration of the vacant seats automatically grants the party a majority in Parliament, tipping the balance of power in their favor. This claim has been met with resistance from the NPP, which is keen on maintaining its majority status.
As the political parties prepare for the reconvening of Parliament, all eyes will be on Speaker Bagbin and how he handles the Supreme Court’s ruling. The situation presents a delicate test of Ghana’s constitutional framework and the relationship between the various branches of government.
Blay’s comments serve as a reminder of the importance of respecting the judiciary’s authority, particularly in a democratic system where the rule of law must prevail. For Blay, the solution is simple—Parliament must respect the ruling, and the Speaker must lead the way in ensuring that the country’s legal processes are upheld.
How Speaker Bagbin responds to the Supreme Court’s ruling will likely have long-lasting implications, not just for the four seats in question, but for the broader relationship between Parliament and the judiciary in Ghana.
