CJ Vetting: Minority’s walkout was political, not principled- Shaibu Mahama

Daboya-Mankarigu MP, Shaibu Mahama, has accused the Minority in Parliament of attending the vetting of Chief Justice nominee Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie with a predetermined political script rather than a sincere intention to scrutinise the nominee.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, November 10, 2025, Mr. Mahama said the Minority’s conduct during the vetting session revealed that their focus was on executing a political plan rather than engaging meaningfully in the process.

“Clearly, the Minority came not to ask questions, but it came with a script,” he said. “Unfortunately, they couldn’t mark the script," he said.

He defended the actions of the Majority Leader, insisting that every move made during the tense proceedings was consistent with parliamentary procedure.

“Every single act that the Majority Leader did was clearly in line with the rules and regulations that govern the proceedings of Parliament,” he stated.

Mr. Mahama argued that the Minority appeared unprepared to contribute constructively, noting the contradiction between their earlier decision to boycott the vetting and their eventual attendance.

“They did not come to the party. When you ask a question whether they had, they had announced that they were not even coming for the vetting. Then suddenly they appeared with the script. That script, unfortunately, they couldn’t mark it," he said.

His remarks follow a heated exchange between Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga during the vetting, which led to a 30-minute suspension of proceedings.

When the session resumed, the Minority Caucus walked out, declaring their boycott and leaving the vetting to be completed by the Majority members of the Appointments Committee.

Mr. Mahama maintained that the Majority’s conduct throughout was procedurally sound, arguing that the Minority’s walkout was driven by politics, not principle.