Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, has launched a blistering attack on Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to refer Minority Leader Osahen Afenyo-Markin to the Privileges Committee, describing the move as “political persecution” and an assault on parliamentary democracy.

Addressing journalists in Accra on Friday, 28 November 2025, Madam Appiagyei said the Speaker’s ruling marked the height of an orchestrated campaign to intimidate and undermine the Minority Leader.

She accused the Majority Leadership and the Speaker of weaponising parliamentary procedure to silence dissent.

Madam Appiagyei revisited the controversial events of 22 July 2025, when the Majority Leader, Mr Mahama Ayariga, moved to replace the Minority Leader on Ghana’s ECOWAS Parliament delegation—an action she said occurred without her knowledge or consent.

According to her, the Majority Leader acted “stealthily and clandestinely,” attempting to insert her name on the delegation while the Minority Leader was indisposed.

She said she rejected the move immediately, protesting formally in writing to the Speaker.

Despite her objection, she said, the Speaker forwarded the altered delegation list to ECOWAS, a decision she described as “diplomatic orchestration” and a violation of Ghana’s obligations under Article 18 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Act.

Madam Appiagyei noted that the ECOWAS Parliament formally rebuked Ghana over the incident and dispatched a diplomatic mission to Accra to seek clarification.

She argued that the episode brought “international embarrassment” to Ghana and exposed serious procedural breaches by the Speaker and Majority.

The Deputy Minority Leader insisted that Mr Afenyo-Markin committed no wrongdoing by continuing to perform his duties as a sworn ECOWAS MP.

She said the disputed July 22 resolution was unconstitutional and thus did not bind the Minority Leader.

Quoting Articles 1, 3 and 41 of Ghana’s Constitution, Madam Appiagyei stressed that every citizen is duty-bound to resist unconstitutional actions, arguing that Mr Afenyo-Markin’s stance was not insubordination but an act of constitutional defense.

Madam Appiagyei accused the Majority, the Speaker, NDC party operatives, and elements within the Attorney-General’s office of engaging in a coordinated effort to intimidate and discredit the Minority Leader.

She cited alleged threats from NDC National Vice-Chairman Chief Sofo Azorka, media leaks suggesting criminal investigations, and social media attacks.

In her statement, the Deputy Minority Leader called for:

Immediate withdrawal of the petition against Afenyo-Markin at the Privileges Committee.

A public apology from the Speaker and Majority Leader to ECOWAS and Ghanaians.

Restoration of Afenyo-Markin to Ghana’s ECOWAS delegation.

An end to alleged state-enabled intimidation of the Minority Leader.

Prosecution of Chief Sofo Azorka for threatening the Minority Leader.

Madam Appiagyei concluded that the Minority will continue to stand by Afenyo-Markin, not only for partisan reasons but in defense of constitutional rule.

“This episode is an indelible stain on Ghana’s democracy,” she said. “We shall defend the rule of law, we shall uphold the Constitution, and we will not rest until power is exercised lawfully.”