The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, accusing him of using an authoritarian approach to silence the Minority caucus.

The party argues that his recent actions, including the suspension of three NPP Members of Parliament (MPs), are aimed at weakening the opposition’s oversight role.

The suspension follows a heated altercation during the vetting of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa at the Appointments Committee on January 30, 2025. The MPs affected are Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Second Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib, and Gushegu MP Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli. The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, was also sanctioned.

In a press release issued on Monday, February 3, 2025, the NPP labeled the Speaker’s actions as an attempt to suppress opposition voices in Parliament.

"The party views this selective and autocratic posture of the Speaker as dangerous, with these actions packaged to cow the minority into submission, consequently weakening its potential to hold the government accountable," the statement read.

The party’s response comes after the Minority caucus addressed the media earlier in the day, challenging the Speaker’s decision and calling for a review.

Meanwhile, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has announced plans to meet with Speaker Bagbin to discuss the suspensions, while former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has criticized the move as unconstitutional and inconsistent with parliamentary standing orders.

The suspensions, which took effect on January 31, 2025, will last for two weeks, sparking further debate over the Speaker’s handling of parliamentary affairs.