2022 Budget Has Not Been Rejected, Ignore Bagbin’s Declaration - Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul Asserts

The Minister of Defence and senior Member of Parliament of the incumbent party, NPP has guffawed off broadcasts that the 2022 budget has been denied by Parliament. 

Minister of Defence, Hon. Nitiwul Dominic.

The majority side of the House strolled out of the chamber on Friday evening, and in their non-appearance, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Bagbin operated a vote on the 2022 budget with only the minority side present. 

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Communicating with newsmen after the purported refusal of the budget by Parliament, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul labeled what transpired inside the chamber a “Bagbin’s declaration “ and prompted the general public to disregard it. 

Hon. Nitiwul buttressed his point with the Order 109 of Parliamentary rules, which clarifies the Speaker of Parliament needs more than half of the members in the House, which is at least 138 members before the Speaker can settle a question. 

At the moment the Majority side strolled out of the chamber, the Minority side could not have had the required 138 members, thereby nullifying the Speaker's professed vote, The Defence Minister indicated. 

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Furthermore, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul let out that the House may have a quorum to accept questions and assertions but 138 ought to have been attending for the Speaker to settle a question.