The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has cautioned the newly sworn-in Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Mohammed Baba Jamal, to honour his promise to serve the people of the constituency or risk facing his personal opposition.
Speaker Bagbin said he would hold the legislator accountable on behalf of his constituents and would campaign against him if he fails to deliver on his commitments.
The Speaker made the remarks during a brief swearing-in ceremony in Parliament, where he also revealed that a Private Member’s Bill has been introduced to amend the Criminal and Other Offences Act to criminalise vote buying and regulate the conduct of politicians during party primaries.
According to Mr. Bagbin, the proposed legislation was partly triggered by events surrounding the recent NDC Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Habib Iddrisu, welcomed Mr. Baba Jamal to Parliament but remarked that the only ally he has within the National Democratic Congress is the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
Mr. Iddrisu referenced developments following the primaries, when some members within the Majority called for the annulment of the results.
For his part, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, expressed confidence that Baba Jamal’s return to Parliament will strengthen the Majority side, citing his experience as a legislator.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
