Joy ShikwatiMinority Leader in the National Assembly, Junet Mohammed, amused fellow legislators on Tuesday when he humorously commented on the privilege of sitting in the Majority Leader’s seat. During the House’s afternoon session, Junet playfully noted that the seat felt noticeably warmer than his usual spot.
“I must admit, speaking from the Majority Leader’s seat is quite a privilege,” he remarked, sparking laughter across the chamber. “Mr. Speaker, this seat is much warmer than mine, which is usually quite cold.” Amid the amusement, he continued, “I never realized that seats in Parliament could have different levels of warmth. Honestly, Mr. Speaker, I don’t see myself leaving this seat anytime soon.”
Shifting to a more serious tone, Junet Mohammed emphasized the importance of respecting the recent court ruling that recognized Azimio as the majority party in Parliament. He noted that after the 2022 general elections, Azimio challenged the results but respected the court’s decision when their petition was dismissed. He argued that the latest ruling raised significant constitutional issues that could not be ignored.
“I reviewed the ruling on Monday evening, and the judges highlighted serious constitutional concerns,” Junet explained. “If these issues are not addressed, the country could face a constitutional crisis.”
Closing on a light-hearted note, Junet joked about his temporary role switch: “I am the Minority Leader for now, but this afternoon, I decided to switch seats and take on the role of Majority Leader. I am fully capable of performing that role, Mr. Speaker. I have the qualifications, the capacity, and the numbers in the House—everything needed to be the Majority Leader.”
