Following the Supreme Court’s suspension of the ruling by Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have called on Ghanaians to brace for what they termed a “showdown on Tuesday.”

The NDC’s claims stem from expectations of chaos, reminiscent of the January 6 incident, as tensions escalate over which party occupies the Speaker’s seat and assumes the majority position in Parliament.

Last Thursday, Speaker Bagbin declared four parliamentary seats vacant, giving the NDC a numerical advantage.

This led to celebrations within the NDC camp, while the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) sought the Supreme Court’s intervention.

The apex court’s decision to stay the Speaker’s ruling has sparked intense debate among legal experts, commentators, and the public, raising concerns about the court’s role in parliamentary affairs. The court directed that the four MPs be reinstated and recognized in the House.

However, NDC MPs like Mahama Ayariga (Bawku Central) and Alhassan Suhuyini (Tamale North) expressed reservations.

Ayariga, a legal practitioner, remarked on television that while the court can issue an order, enforcing it is another matter.

He noted that Speaker Bagbin acted in accordance with the Constitution and argued that the Supreme Court’s role is to clarify the law when challenged.

He further questioned whether the court considered the rights of the people of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lipke, and Lolobi (SALL), who had been unrepresented for the past four years.

Ayariga criticized the injunction filed by NPP leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, accusing the Supreme Court of overreaching by interfering in parliamentary affairs.

He compared the situation to the US Supreme Court’s ruling in Baker v. Carr (1962), which dealt with political questions.Suhuyini, meanwhile, questioned the impartiality of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, accusing her of bias towards the NPP.

He echoed the call for a political showdown, promising that Tuesday would be eventful.Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, also weighed in, arguing that the Supreme Court’s stay of the Speaker’s ruling was procedurally flawed and should be considered null and void.

He suggested that Parliament could cite the court for contempt and that the Speaker might choose not to comply with the order, potentially escalating tensions between the judiciary and Parliament.

Ansa-Asare further criticized the composition of the court panel and called for a tripartite dialogue involving the executive, legislature, and judiciary to resolve the matter.

Prof. Ransford Gyampo, a political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, called on senior legislators from both sides to intervene and prevent further chaos.

Ultimately, Speaker Bagbin adjourned Parliament indefinitely on Tuesday, citing the Supreme Court’s order, a move many praised as a wise decision to avoid further disruption to government business.