'I cannot be intimidated by any caucus' – Speaker Bagbin warns

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has defended his handling of the confrontation involving Damongo MP Samuel Abu Jinapor, insisting that the Minority caucus’ decision to walk out of the chamber would not influence how he discharges his duties.

He said the authority of the Speaker must be respected and rejected any suggestion that pressure from either the Majority or Minority could dictate his decisions.

“Please, there is no way Mr Speaker seated here can be intimidated by any caucus. It will not happen. I will do what I believe is right and in the national interest. Simple and short,” he said.

Mr Bagbin’s comments followed the Minority’s protest walkout after he directed Mr Jinapor to leave the chamber during parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, November 3.

The Speaker faulted the caucus for abandoning the sitting in response to disciplinary action against one of its members, describing the decision as inappropriate.

“From my perspective as a Speaker, there was no need for the Minority to decide to flout my directive collectively because a member of theirs had been ordered to be sent out of the House. That was completely wrong.”

He further indicated that the incident would be documented in Parliament’s official records, although he disputed the characterisation of the Minority’s action as a properly indicated walkout.

“What happened yesterday, November 3, was not truly an indicated walkout, but it will be captured in the official report as something that occurred,” he said.

Mr Bagbin also disclosed that the Minority’s unexpected departure disrupted his intended response to the controversy surrounding Mr Jinapor’s comments. He said he could not instruct the Clerk’s Office to remove the remarks from the official record because the caucus had left the chamber without notice.

The confrontation arose during discussions on diplomatic passports, when Mr Jinapor alleged that he had evidence that such passports were being sold for amounts ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

The allegation drew an objection from Majority Leader James Agalga, who challenged the Damongo MP to produce evidence or withdraw the claim.

Mr Bagbin subsequently instructed Mr Jinapor to substantiate his allegation or retract it. The exchange became heated after the MP maintained his position, although he eventually withdrew the claim.

The Speaker, however, directed the Parliamentary Marshal to escort him out of the chamber, citing his failure to comply promptly with the instruction.

The Minority caucus responded by leaving the chamber in protest, an action Mr Bagbin has since condemned.