By Samuel Appah-Peniel
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), leadership are having tough time to approve the nomination of Member of Parliament for NandoliKaleo, Alban Bagbin as Majority Leader since some bigwigs within the party are also pushing for the former Agriculture Minister, Kofi Humado to be confirmed.
The paper was told that those pushing for Hon. Kofi Humado for the post are of the view that he has an excellent relationship with President Mahama since as Majority Leader; he will also be the leader of government business championing the President?s agenda in parliament as against Hon. Bagbin who has a strained relationship with President John Dramani Mahama.
Despite the fact that, Hon. Bagbin has massive support from his colleague MPs, he is yet to be confirmed as a result of party bigwigs canvassing for Hon. Humado to take up the majority leader post with influence from the presidency.
In a related development, Joy News’ Parliamentary correspondent Elton Brobbey reports that Hon. Bagin, one of the longest-serving MPs, received overwhelming support from NDC members of parliament at a meeting with the General Secretary of the party Johnson Asiedu Nketia in Parliament last Wednesday.
Earlier, the party chiefs had consulted President John Mahama on the question of who should lead the Majority side after the position became vacant following the President’s nomination of Benjamin Kumbour as Minster for Defence.
Four names including Wa West MP Joseph Yileh Chireh and Kofi Humado according to Joy News sources came up strongly at the meeting.
But the majority caucus rallied behind the former Minister for Water Resources Works and Housing and former Minister for Health.
Alban Kingsford Sumani Bagbin will be no stranger on the Majority front bench, having previously served for as Majority Leader in 2009 to 2010 when after his party won the 2008 Presidential elections. Earlier, the trained lawyer was Minority leader from 2001 to 2008 during his party’s days in opposition
But Mr. Bagbin who currently chairs the committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary affair and also leading an adhoc committee to produce a code of conduct to regulate conduct of members of parliament is however being investigated by the leadership of parliament for alleging MPs take bribe in the discharge of their duties.
Mr. Badgin?s relationship with the President has also been strained after he publicly criticized the President for running a government of his friends and family.The jury is still out on how the two will relate once Mr. Badgin is confirmed.
The Moment
