Abu Jinapor showed highest form of disrespect to Bagbin – Hamza Suhuyini 

A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Hamza Suhuyini, has defended Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin's decision to order the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, out of the Chamber.

He argued that the Damongo MP showed disrespect to the Speaker during their exchange over an allegation concerning the sale of Ghanaian diplomatic passports.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 3, when Abu Jinapor alleged in Parliament that diplomatic passports were being sold for between US$10,000 and US$50,000 and called for an investigation into the matter.

The Speaker directed him to substantiate the allegation or withdraw it, assuring him that he could raise the issue again with supporting evidence.

Speaker Bagbin ordered the Parliamentary Marshal to escort him out, citing his failure to comply promptly with the directive.

The Minority Caucus subsequently staged a walkout in solidarity with him.

Speaking on Accra-based JoyNews' AM Show on Thursday, November 5, Hamza said the MP's manner of withdrawing the allegation was disrespectful because he repeated the substance of the claim instead of following the established parliamentary procedure.

He stressed that parliamentary practice required an MP withdrawing an objectionable statement to do so unconditionally, rather than appearing to challenge the authority of the Speaker.

"Everybody knows the standard when it comes to withdrawal of unpalatable submissions in Parliament. Mr Speaker, with your guidance, I withdraw and it is withdrawn," he said.

The NDC communicator acknowledged that he had concerns about the manner in which Speakers sometimes exercise their powers to remove MPs from the Chamber.

However, he stated that the circumstances surrounding Abu Jinapor's ejection did not warrant the same criticism.

"Do I have a problem with the way sometimes Speakers lose their power in terms of walking people out? Yes. But do I have a problem with this particular instance? I don't think so. I can understand why the Speaker took the decision," he added.