Former President John Mahama has stated that the government is behind the Supreme Court’s injunction against Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson.
Mr Mahama said that the administration misled the Supreme Court in order to secure the numbers needed to conduct business in Parliament.
Such acts and behaviours, he believes, are an insult to the country’s budding democracy.
As a result, the NDC flagbearer candidate condemned it as a “gross injustice” to the people of Assin North.
“We have seen the cardinal sin of the 4th Republic which is the disenfranchisement of the people of SALL. For one whole term, they have not had a Member of Parliament. Let’s put that aside, the people of Assin North elected a person to represent them in Parliament.
“This government has manipulated the judiciary in such a way that they have injuncted the MP for Assin North. So even though he is the elected member, he cannot perform the duties of an MP.
“That is a gross injustice and an affront to the country’s growing democracy.
“But I want to assure the people of Ghana and James Gyakye Quayson, who is our MP for Assin North, that when NDC comes to power, we will clarify that constitutional provision that compels them to give up their foreign citizenship before they contest elections. A country’s human resource is its best resource,” he said in Tamale while addressing the NDC faithful on Sunday, May 7.
As a result, Mr Mahama has vowed that the next NDC administration will clarify the constitutional clause that prohibits dual citizens from holding political office in Ghana.
“We happen to have three million of our citizens abroad, they have acquired skills and different talents. Why must we have a law that bars them when we have a dual citizenship law?
“We will clarify it, so they can come and stand for parliamentary seats and hold offices in Ghana, they don’t have to give up their other citizenships to be able to hold office,” he assured.
On Wednesday, April 13, the Supreme Court declared by a vote of 5-2 that Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson can no longer execute Parliamentary responsibilities.
This is until the Supreme Court rules on the substantive case filed against him.
In July 2021, the Cape Coast High Court ruled that Mr Quayson’s election was invalid since he owed allegiance to Canada at the time he filed his nomination documents to run for office.
Michael Ankomah Nimfah, a constituency resident who filed this election petition in January 2022, has filed another action in the Supreme Court.
He requested the Court to uphold the Cape Coast High Court’s decision and avoid a further violation of the constitution by restricting the MP.
Despite criticism from the besieged MP’s legal team, the Supreme Court approved the plea.
Source: Myjoyonline.com