The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, known as Joe wise, has called on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to accept different views from his subordinate.
This followed after he, Joe wise dismiss a motion brought before speaker and accepted by him (speaker) to probe into a COVID-19 fund while presiding over.
His decision was later described by Speaker as “offensive, illegal and unconstitutional”.
According to Joe Wise, the Speaker’s ruling on some matters before the House is a dangerous approach to democracy.
“Since becoming the Speaker however, Right Hon. Bagbin appears to think that holding a different view from himself is unbecoming and insubordinate of a Deputy Speaker,” he said.
“I would like to place on record that the Speaker, a Deputy speaker or a member presiding, exercises the same powers and applies the same Standing Orders and constitutional provisions to manage the House whiles on the chair. It is not the case of the President and his Vice, as Mr Speaker suggests.
He added that “as many times as I have the opportunity to preside, I will apply the Standing Orders and relevant constitutional provisions as I understand them and if need be, be guided by precedent. I have never entertained any application for a review of a ruling of Rt. Hon. Speaker and I will never do so”.