A heated clash erupted in Parliament’s Appointments Committee as the Minority accused Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin of making derogatory remarks against the Committee’s Chairman, Bernard Ahiafor.
The controversy unfolded during the vetting of Deputy Attorney General and Justice Minister-designate, Justice Srem-Sai, when Afenyo-Markin asked the nominee to perform a traditional dance—a request that Ahiafor swiftly opposed.
Feeling slighted, Mr Afenyo-Markin branded the Chairman’s decision as ‘whimsical’ and claimed he had been ‘rudely interrupted’, fueling claims of unfair treatment toward the Majority.
Tensions escalated, leading to a 10-minute suspension of proceedings. Upon return, the Minority rejected Srem-Sai’s nomination outright.
At a press conference, Daboya/Mankarigu MP Shaibu Mahama accused Afenyo-Markin of disrespecting the Chairman and violating parliamentary decorum.
“The Minority Leader wanted a nominee to dance to a tune. I think that we shouldn’t reduce the vetting committee to a dancing floor,” Mahama criticised.
He further stressed that Ahiafor’s decision was in line with maintaining the integrity of the vetting process.
“A presidential nominee, and you say he should dance? That didn’t sit well. And so, the Chairman overruled it. Then he decided to use very unparliamentary words on the Chairman. He vehemently refused to withdraw,” he added.
Despite the controversy, the Majority has moved ahead with its recommendation to approve the nominees.
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