Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has strongly criticized his fellow leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, for his behavior in the chamber.

Speaking in Parliament on March 18, 2025, during a session where the Minister of Interior answered questions about national security, Ayariga accused Afenyo-Markin of trying to use government discussions for political showmanship.

He said his side had been patient with Afenyo-Markin for a while, understanding his political tactics. However, they now feel he has gone too far and crossed the line.

“And coming from you the Minority Leader, who is supposed to offer leadership on this side is quite unfortunate. Don’t use this platform for political gimmicking when it’s not necessary. You have consistently tried to do that and we have accommodated you but we think you are overdoing it,” he said.

Ayariga raised his concerns when Afenyo-Markin, while questioning the Minister of Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, made serious claims about armed individuals.

He criticized Afenyo-Markin for making unverified allegations, arguing that this went against the rules of Parliament on how questions should be asked when ministers appear before the House.

The Bawku Central MP also expressed concern over what he saw as Afenyo-Markin misusing parliamentary privileges and authority.

“I continue to get worried about the manner in which the Minority Leader uses the facilities in this House [Parliament]. The opportunity to question ministers is closely governed by Order 86 with the type of questions you can ask.

“You cannot ask questions that contain charges which the member asking the question is not in the position to substantiate.

These are all matters that governs questions. You just made a statement about some people wielding guns, if we ask you to substantiate that claim with videos, can you do that now on the floor?” he questioned Afenyo-Markin.

He also accused Afenyo-Markin of trying to damage the reputation of the Minister of Interior with his remarks, calling them unlawful and unconstitutional.

“You just made a statement questioning the character and integrity of the minister, asking him not to condone unconstitutionality. Mr Speaker, this is inappropriate. You can ask him further questions after he gave answers to the earlier ones but to make a statement that condone unconstitutionality and illegality is totally out of place,” he concluded.