Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has categorically denied long-standing accusations that former Dome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo crossed party lines to vote for him during the contentious 2021 Speaker election, revealing that an unnamed NPP MP did support his bid but it was not Safo.
Bagbin’s clarification came during a courtesy call on October 13, 2025, by the family of late Apostle Kwadwo Safo, where he affectionately referred to Safo as “my daughter,” explaining their close relationship predated her political career.
“I began calling her my daughter before she joined politics… Because she is my daughter and we love each other, when I was contesting to be Speaker, they thought she voted for me,” Bagbin said, confirming an NPP MP did vote for him but dismissing Safo’s involvement.
The 2021 election was chaotic, with Bagbin winning 138-136 over NPP’s Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye in a hung Parliament where NPP held a slim majority.
Safo, who arrived late amid illness rumors, faced betrayal accusations from NPP figures like Michael Okyere Baafi, who blamed her for government setbacks.
Safo denied the claims in March 2025, asserting she voted for Oquaye and citing at least two other NPP MPs who did not.
Bagbin’s revelation puts to rest a controversy that shadowed Safo’s career, including her 2022 removal from Deputy Majority Leader and 2024 primary loss to Rev. Osei Kofi, where she alleged sabotage.
The clarification, amid Bagbin’s re-election as Speaker in January 2025, reinforces cross-party bonds but reopens debates on the 2021 vote’s one spoilt ballot and alleged Judases like Kennedy Agyapong or Fomena MP Andrew Asiamah Amoako.
