Speaker Bagbin’s powers have a limit - Habib Iddirsu

First Deputy Majority Whip of Parliament, Alhaji Habib Iddrisu has emphasized the Supreme Court’s ultimate authority in interpreting Ghana’s constitution, highlighting the judiciary’s role in preserving the balance of power within the nation’s government.

His comments followed the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant, a move that had stirred considerable debate.

“The power to interpret the constitution rests solely with the Supreme Court, not the Speaker of Parliament,” Iddrisu stated firmly to Umaru Sanda of Citi FM.

His remarks were a response to the court’s recent ruling in favour of Alexander Afenyo-Markin, which contradicted Speaker Bagbin’s stance on MPs running as independent candidates. The ruling clarified that declaring the seats vacant exceeded the Speaker’s constitutional authority and reaffirmed that only the court could interpret the implications of such a move.

For Iddrisu, the court’s ruling underscores a fundamental aspect of Ghana’s democratic framework. He cautioned, however, that any refusal by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision could create instability within Parliament and, in the worst case, lead to a constitutional crisis.

“The separation of powers ensures that no branch operates unchecked,” Iddrisu noted. “But with that comes a duty for each branch to respect the limits set forth by the constitution.”

Iddrisu also addressed the occasional disagreements within Parliament, pointing out that, despite ideological clashes, the body has consistently managed to find compromise. “Disagreements aren’t new to Parliament,” he reflected. “What matters is that, at the end of the day, we come together to uphold the integrity of this institution and our democracy.”

-MyNewsGh