I saw NPP MPs struggling to take pictures with him – Mahama Ayariga defends Asiedu Nketiah’s presence in Parliament
Parliament witnessed a light but politically charged exchange on Friday, June 21, as Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga rose to the defense of National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, following allegations that the latter entered the chamber to campaign for the NDC’s 2028 flagbearer slot.
Responding to concerns raised by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Ayariga dismissed the notion that Asiedu Nketiah’s presence was irregular or politically inappropriate, stating that the NDC Chairman was a well-known and welcome figure in Parliament — not just among his party members.
“Mr Speaker, I saw some NPP members struggling to take pictures with him. Mr Speaker, I saw it with my own eyes,” Ayariga told the House, drawing murmurs and chuckles from some members.
He went on to recall that the welcome given to Asiedu Nketiah was bipartisan. “And Mr Speaker, before he entered the House, the [Minority] Leader himself rushed to receive him — I was there,” he emphasized.
Ayariga insisted there was nothing unusual or improper about the visit. “Mr Speaker, he is allowed to enter the chamber. The Chairman of the NPP is also allowed.”
His comments came in direct response to Afenyo-Markin’s earlier statement, in which the Minority Leader accused the NDC Chairman of using the brief suspension of the House to stage a photoshoot with Minority MPs for political gain.
“Mr Speaker, you suspended the House for five minutes, and during that period, our colleagues allowed their National Chairman to enter the chamber to take pictures as part of his campaign, having garnered the support of the NDC MPs,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
He went on to claim that Asiedu Nketiah — who he said has “declared his intention to succeed President Mahama” — initially posed with 60 NDC MPs, a number that allegedly rose to 80.
“Mr Speaker, I want the Chairman to know that the 80 is not enough, he should get more to make him the preferred candidate,” Afenyo-Markin added sarcastically, before questioning whether House rules permitted such conduct.
However, Mahama Ayariga’s defense reframed the narrative, asserting that the goodwill shown to the NDC Chairman extended across the aisle. His remarks appeared to downplay the political undertone and redirect the conversation toward the openness of Parliament to all political actors.
