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Deputy General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen says it will be politically suicidal for the embattled Member of Parliament(MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson to contest for the seat again when it is declared vacant for a by-election.

According to him there is already a criminal charge against him in court about his dual citizenship which if he is found guilty he may end up in jail.

"I believe the party would have to rethink and consider offering another candidate for the by-election should it be opened," he said.

He says allowing Hon. Gyakye Quayson to contest again will be a suicidal mission which will gravely affect the largest opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC).

Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that though the review matter is in court, it is only proper for the party to begin to restrategize and find an appropriate candidate for the constituency when there is supposed to be a fresh election in the Assin South constituency.

"Though I cannot determine the outcome of the Supreme Court review, the substantive ruling bars him from holding himself as a member of parliament and that the party should begin to search for a new candidate for the Assin North constituency."

Restrained Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson, has urged the Supreme Court to set aside its ruling that barred him from performing parliamentary duties.

The embattled MP says the majority 5-2 decision was a patent and fundamental error of the law and a breach of portions of Ghana’s constitution.

A Supreme Court panel comprising Justices Jones Dotse, Jones Dotse, Agnes Dordzie, Nene Amegatcher, Mariama Owusu, Gertrude Torkonoo, Prof Henrietta Mensah Bonsu and Emmanuel Y. Kulendi restrained Mr Quayson from holding himself out as a Parliamentarian.

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Background

Michael Ankomah Nimfah, a resident of the constituency, brought the application to the Supreme Court, insisting that James Gyakye Quayson’s continuous stay in office despite a High Court Judgment annulling his election offended the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

This, he says, was not fair to the people of Assin North and frowns on the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

A Cape Coast High Court in July 2021 nullified the election of Mr Quayson after it found he owed allegiance to Canada when he filed his nomination to contest as MP in 2020.