The Minority in Parliament yesterday walked out of the Chamber over the Speaker’s refusal to halt proceedings for lack of quorum.
At the beginning of Parliamentary business, only 60 Parliamentarians were present in the Chamber which by their Standing Order did not form a quorum.
By the Standing Order, one-third of the 275 members needed to be present to form a quorum.
The Minority Chief Whip, Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka who was on his feet to draw the Speaker’s attention to the lack of quorum on the floor was subtly ignored by the Speaker, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, who continued with proceedings.
Alhaji Muntaka in an outburst then accused the Speaker of conducting the business of Parliament lawlessly, adding that the Speaker’s refusal to halt proceedings was shameful.
At this point, the Minority members in solidarity with their Chief Whip then filed out of the Chamber, leaving the Majority to continue with the business of considering the Corporate Insolvency Bill which was at the third stage of consideration
BY LAWRENCE MARKWEI
