Vacant seats: Mahama explains how parliamentary dispute can be resolved out of Court

John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed his view that the current parliamentary dispute could have been resolved through dialogue rather than through the courts.

Speaking with clergy members in Kumasi on Monday, November 11, Mahama emphasized the importance of negotiation and collaboration in addressing political disagreements, noting that a cooperative approach would have been more beneficial for all parties.

His remarks come amid a contentious legal battle over the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin’s, decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant. The declaration, based on alleged constitutional breaches by certain MPs, has ignited intense political debate.

The Supreme Court has since intervened, temporarily halting the enforcement of Bagbin’s ruling and set to make a final decision on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Mahama reiterated that such disputes are best addressed through dialogue and urged a move away from judicial intervention in political matters.

“I think that it is something we can solve politically. The solution is not legal because Supreme Court can make a decision and Parliament would say we are not under you, we are separate arm of government. So, this would have demanded a political solution. But all that is dependent on the president.

“If I were a president, I would have taken the case out of Supreme Court and call both sides and their leaders and Council of State and the speaker to resolve the matter because I believe if that is done there would be a resolution to the matter,” he emphasised.