The Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak says he spent about two weeks convincing National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs to vote for Alban Bagbin as the Speaker of Parliament.
According to him, although the former Nadowli Kaleo MP was from their side, there was no guarantee that all members of the party would be happy with his nomination.
He told Emefa Apawu on Joy News' The Probe Sunday that he spoke to the MPs individually for two weeks convincing them on why the House must have a Speaker from another party and not from the government side.
“We were trying to let them understand that this was in our national interest to get a Speaker on the other side so that we can put a check on the executive."
The two major parties clashed in parliament last Thursday at the inauguration of the 8th Parliament.
The stalemate prompted military and police intervention in the Chamber of Parliament.
The legislators were voting to choose the next Speaker of Parliament but there was chaos after the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmakers defied the secret voting rule.
The ensuing clash lasted several hours until the army and the police moved in to restore order in the House.
After calm was restored, an opposition MP and a veteran politician Alban Bagbin was elected Speaker.
The veteran MP polled 138 votes against the immediate past Speaker Aaron Mike Ocquaye’s 136 with one MP failing to vote.
Even then, the Tema West MP Carlos Ahenkorah tried to mar the election after he snatched ballot papers and bolted with it.
Mr Bagbin makes history for being the first Speaker who is not selected by the governing party.
But it was not an easy road as the NDC Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak said it put his position to test to get members from his side to make the dream a reality.
"And I spent almost two and a half weeks after the election trying to reach out to as many members not only on our side but on the other side as well," he said.
Latest Stories
-
‘I’ll beat the hell out of you if you misbehave on December 7’ – Achiase Commanding Officer
48 seconds -
AFPNC leads the charge on World Prematurity Day 2024
7 mins -
Court remands unemployed man over theft of ECG property
13 mins -
Election security rests solely with the police – Central Regional Police Command
15 mins -
NCCE engages political youth activists at Kumbungu on tolerance
15 mins -
‘In Mahama’s era students lacked chalk, but are now receiving tablets’ – Bawumia
25 mins -
Project commissioning not a ploy to attract votes – Oppong Nkrumah
27 mins -
CBG records GH¢1bn revenue in Q3
29 mins -
Mahama vows to create an agro-processing zone in Afram Plains
43 mins -
Political parties should plan for losses, not just wins – IGP advises
45 mins -
524 Diasporan Africans granted Ghanaian citizenship in ceremony
46 mins -
Mahama urges Afram Plains North residents to avoid ‘skirt and blouse’ voting
48 mins -
Asantehene receives more 19th century gold ornament and regalia
55 mins -
Hohoe Ghana Blind Union organises training for members ahead of Election 2024
1 hour -
Alan Kyerematen reveals his future plans for Ghanaian Health professionals
1 hour