The Minority in Parliament rejected Justice Srem-Sai’s nomination as Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice-designate. They did this after a heated vetting session on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

A heated exchange between Chairman Bernard Ahiafor and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin abruptly ended the session. Afenyo-Markin asked the nominee to perform a traditional dance. Ahiafor found the request inappropriate and overruled it.

Afenyo-Markin then accused Ahiafor of being “whimsical and capricious.” Ahiafor demanded that he retract the remark. Afenyo-Markin refused to withdraw his comment. This refusal forced an abrupt suspension of the vetting process.

In response, Afenyo-Markin announced that the Minority would reject Srem-Sai’s nomination. He said, “We protest your abrupt ending of the vetting because I refused to withdraw my dissatisfaction.” He also accused the Chairman of bias and pointed to previous interruptions during the proceedings.

The Minority rejected all other nominees that day. They also rejected Alhassan Suhuyini for Deputy Minister-designate for Roads and Highways, Sulemana Yussif for Deputy Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, and Yussif Issaka Jajah for Deputy Minister-designate for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts.

Ahiafor defended his actions. He said, “I take exception to being described as whimsical.” He added, “When you want to turn the vetting room into a dancing floor, I will resist.” He warned Afenyo-Markin, saying, “You are even lucky that I have not cited you for contempt.”

The Minority warned they might stop participating in future vetting sessions if the bias continues. This development deepened tensions between the Majority and Minority caucuses in Parliament.