Confused NPP do not know their left from right- Cletus Avoka

Cletus Avoka

Former Majority Leader Cletus Avoka says the decision by the opposition New Patriotic Party to boycott the vetting of Ministers nominated by President John Mahama is regrettable and unfortunate.

Describing the NPP leadership as “confused” people “who do not know their left from their right on this issue” Avoka advised the NPP members to re-consider their decision and return.

The NPP Minority has said it cannot be part of a vetting process initiated by president John Mahama when it is challenging the legitimacy of the same president at the Supreme Court.

Three leading members of the NPP are in court seeking to overturn the verdict by the Electoral Commission which declared President John Mahama winner of the 2012 polls.

The leaders argue that over 1.3 million votes were illegally counted and are praying the court to strike out those votes.

Whilst at it in court, the party says it will not be seen to be part of any process that will directly give credence to the legitimacy of the president.

Its members therefore boycotted the inauguration ceremony that swore in the president early this month.

On Tuesday, the minority in Parliament again announced that it has boycotted the vetting of ministers nominated by the president.

Its deputy leader Dominic Nitiwul said the Minority caucus overwhelmingly affirmed the decision by the National Executive Council of the party to boycott the vetting.

He explained the party recognizes the power of the constitution which says the president so declared by the Electoral Commission remains president until a counter decision by the Supreme Court.

He however added they are using legitimate tools of Parliament- boycotts and walkouts – to register their displeasure over a fraudulent election.

But in a reaction, former Majority Leader Cletus Avoka told Joy News the decision has dire repercussion on the country's democratic practice.

He said the minority would have helped greatly in vetting the ministers.

“They are being paid by the tax payers to perform duties between 10:00am and 2:00 pm and I expect that they will respect those regulations and live by it. We are supposed to be role models and leaders of our people,” he advised.