Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has described the removal of Damongo MP Samuel Abu Jinapor from Parliament’s chamber as an act of “parliamentary bullying”, arguing that his colleague was unfairly ordered out despite complying with the Speaker’s directive to withdraw his earlier allegation.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament after the Minority staged a walkout in solidarity with the former Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Afenyo-Markin expressed concern over what he described as disproportionate, unjust and high-handed treatment of the Damongo legislator, who also serves as the Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
According to the Minority Leader, Abu Jinapor had raised concerns about the alleged sale of diplomatic and service passports for amounts ranging from US$10,000 to US$50,000 and sought accountability from the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
He explained that when the Speaker directed the Damongo MP to withdraw the allegation, Jinapor initially sought clarification on the specific statement he was required to retract.
Afenyo-Markin maintained that after the clarification was provided, Abu Jinapor expressly complied with the directive, stating: “Mr Speaker, I withdraw.”
He said the MP repeated the withdrawal, yet the instruction for him to leave the chamber was maintained.
“Instead, his compliance was rewarded by being walked out. We, the Minority, consider that response disproportionate and, in its effect, an act of parliamentary bullying,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
He argued that the withdrawal should have provided an opportunity to restore order in the House without further disciplinary action against the legislator.
The Minority Leader insisted that an express withdrawal in compliance with the Speaker’s directive should be acknowledged rather than treated as defiance.
Minority stages walkout in solidarity with Abu Jinapor
Explaining the Minority’s decision to walk out of the chamber, Afenyo-Markin said the action was intended to demonstrate solidarity with their colleague and register their collective opposition to what they considered an unjust directive.
“We walked out with him to express solidarity with our colleague and our collective opposition to treatment we considered unjust, needless, and high-handed,” he said.
He maintained that the Minority was particularly concerned about the circumstances surrounding the decision to remove Abu Jinapor after he had withdrawn the disputed allegation.
Afenyo-Markin insists questions over diplomatic passports remain unanswered
The Minority Leader also maintained that the substantive concerns raised by Abu Jinapor regarding the alleged sale and procurement of diplomatic and service passports remained unanswered.
He disclosed that the Minority possessed supporting material which, in its assessment, raised serious concerns about alleged false representations and apparent impersonation in the procurement of diplomatic or service passports through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Afenyo-Markin insisted that the issues deserved proper scrutiny and accountability, arguing that the parliamentary disagreement should not overshadow the substantive questions raised about the integrity of the passport procurement process.
He maintained that the Minority would continue to demand answers from the government on the matter.
