Minority Rejects Muntaka�s Demand For Resignation Of MP Installed As Chief

Majority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mohammed has filed a motion demanding the resignation of a colleague MP whom he said cannot remain in the House because of a constitutional injunction.

Alhaji Muntaka says Talensi MP, Robert Nachinab Doaneng, who has reportedly been enskinned as a chief can no longer do politics as prescribed by the 1992 constitution.

But the Minority has challenged the motion arguing there is no evidence that Robert Nachinab Doaneng has been enskinned, Joy News’ Elton John Brobbey has reported.

The Minority says according to the constitution, until an enskinment or enstoolment is gazetted, one cannot be recognised as a chief.

Robert Doaneng was reported to have been made chief of Tongo in the Upper East region on 29 April 2015.

By Article 276 of the constitution; (1) A chief shall not take part in active party politics; and any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to Parliament shall abdicate his stool or skin.”

It has informed Muntaka’s position on the floor of parliament that “morally and as a matter of conscience and as a matter of principle, [the MP] should do the honourable thing by simply resigning.”

“We congratulate him but he must do what is honourable and resign”, Muntaka stressed.

Providing further basis for his call, Muntaka said the absence of Robert Nachinab Doaneng for about a week confirms that indeed, the Talensi MP is now a chief.

According to the rules of parliament, a seat will be deemed vacant if an MP fails to attend parliament for 14 consecutive days.

The resignation of the chief will pave way for a by-election in the constituency which the governing NDC will feel confident of snatching from the NPP.