The NPP MPs were seen hovering placards with inscriptions “Stealers” in the House, obviously to express their displeasure with the President’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday.
Though some critics have taken keen interest in lambasting the minority for walking out of a State function, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly called Sir John, described the minority’s attitude as a “part of parliamentary process” and so found no fault with the minority’s dramatization in the House.
Speaking in an interview with Peacefmonline.com on the minority’s partial participation in the State of the Nation Address, Sir John labelled President Mahama’s speech on the floor of Parliament as “boring” adding that it will not survive the test of time.
According to him, the President lacks credibility and has virtually proven to be untrustworthy; a reason why the minority dissociated themselves from his speech and also asserted that the speech didn’t reflect the true state of the nation.
He further said the minority “walk out” of Parliament was as a matter of principle as the party has rejected the legitimacy of President John Mahama and pledged to distance itself from any proceedings involving him.
“People don’t trust him. And in last year’s elections, we talked about that which is why from the figures that we have, from the monumental evidence that we have gathered; everything points to the fact that he was not the winner of the elections…they don’t trust him. He lacks credibility,” he emphatically stated.
Expressing satisfaction with the minority’s action, he disclosed that the minority only attended Thursday’s event to “transact parliamentary business” but had to walk out because; “any other matter…like appointment of his (President Mahama) Ministers and his vetting, we will not take part because as soon as the Supreme Court concludes its verdict which we believe we will win; Nana Addo will then be made President of Ghana.”
“So, it was right that they did that and we’re very proud of them. And Ghanaians are very proud of them walking out of this Nation address, because it will not stand the test of time… Nana Akufo-Addo after the Supreme Court’s decision would bring the true State of the Nation Address,” he added.
Though the NPP “Members of Parliament shall continue to engage in oversight responsibility in Parliament as it shall be given to them” according to Sir John, nonetheless they shall boycott events headlining President Mahama.
This he reiterated is in accordance with the party’s principled position.
He however denied giving directives to the minority to walk out of the Parliament House saying; “the MPs are very decisive. They are carefully following the principles.”
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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