— Calls on Executive, Judiciary to cut ties with embattled Speaker
As the push for legitimacy and raw power intensifies on Capitol Hill, members of the Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives are doing all they can to ensure that the embattled Speaker, J. Fonati Koffa, is subdued — ensuring that he eventually relinquished power.
In their quest in that regard, the aggrieved lawmakers, at their third session held in the Joint Chamber on Tuesday, November 5, instructed their Secretariat to formally inform the Senate, Executive, and Judiciary branches to refrain from engaging with Speaker Koffa and his allies.
This decision, put forth by Representative Jeremiah Sokan of Grand Gedeh County District #1, follows assertions by the anti-Koffa group that government officials must prioritize interactions with their faction as they constitute the majority in the House.
During the session, the majority bloc lawmakers emphasized the importance of attendance for Koffa and his members in the next legislative session to avoid repercussions under Rule 21 of the House.
All of these come after Justice Gbeisay clarified at Monday’s conference hearing that he did not place a stay order on the functioning of the Majority Members of the House of Representatives.
Justice Gbeisay addressed both parties involved in the legislative dispute, saying that his stay order was specific to the removal of the Speaker and not to prevent session by the majority members — adding that the majority bloc should give the Speaker due process.
However, the majority members of the House insist on moving forward with Speaker Koffa’s removal, a process they say will follow due process beginning Tuesday.
During the People’s Business
As a way of consolidating power, the majority bloc has disclosed intentions to start doing the Liberian people’s business, noting that they, unlike their opponents, do have the numbers to obtain a quorum to hold sessions and deliberate. Yet, they still need a duly elected Speaker to preside, in order to have legitimacy.
The group, during yesterday’s session, summoned three government officials for appearances next Tuesday: Minister of Internal Affairs Francis Nyumalin, Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation representative Mo Ali, and Minister of Transport Sirleaf Tyler.
Nyumalin is expected to provide updates on the Local Government Law implementation, while Mo Ali and Tyler will address inquiries regarding an ongoing Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) investigation on alleged bribery related to the Speaker’s removal.
Furthermore, plans were revealed to investigate six pro-Koffa lawmakers accused of disrupting House proceedings on October 22. Representatives Frank Saah Foko, Marvin Cole, Luther Collins, Edward Flomo, Abu Kamara, and Zinnah Norman are scheduled to clarify the incident before a committee.
Despite mounting pressure for his resignation, Speaker Koffa remains resolute, stating that resigning is not an option and urging adherence to constitutional procedures. He denies the allegations brought against him, including conflict of interest and budget mismanagement, emphasizing the need for due process as outlined in the Constitution.
Speaker Koffa said he will only step down if the requisite two-thirds majority is obtained for his removal.
According to the Speaker, if the majority bloc obtains the 49 votes required to remove him, he will step aside, but until then, he remains the Speaker.
“I, J. Fonati Koffa, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God. This is the oath we took on January 15, 2024, and this is the oath for which we live our political career for, and if need be, we are prepared for political death,” Koffa posted to his Facebook handle on Sunday.
Koffa emphasized that he remains committed to upholding the Liberian Constitution and fulfilling his responsibilities as Speaker.
In response to accusations of budget manipulation, spreading false information, and impeding an audit by the General Auditing Commission, the “majority bloc” has intensified calls for Koffa’s resignation.
The internal strife within the House has escalated as Koffa’s ability to maintain control has weakened, evident in his failure, on two occasions, to achieve a quorum during sessions due to a lack of required attendance.
Last Thursday, Koffa’s bloc failed to secure the required attendance needed for a quorum, which led to the adjournment of the session. Out of the House’s 73 members, only 28 lawmakers were present, falling short of the required 37 lawmakers necessary to proceed.
Signaling his determination to uphold his duties, Speaker Koffa underscored the oath taken to serve Liberia, expressing readiness to face any political challenges that may arise.
Source: Daily Observer
