-Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Koon Reveals Motive Behind Koffa’s Removal
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – Montserrado County District #11 Representative Richard Nagbe Koon who’s also the self-proclaimed “Majority Bloc” Speaker of the 55th National Legislature, openly declared himself the “regime Speaker” and revealed that the true motive behind the removal of embattled House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa was because the government didn’t want an “opposition Speaker”.
Koon’s remarks come amid a deepening leadership crisis that has gripped the House since October 17, 2024, when 47 members of the 55th Legislature initiated moves to oust Speaker Koffa, citing allegations of misconduct. The crisis escalated on November 21, 2024, when Koon was controversially elected as the new Speaker in a process widely criticized as fraudulent by many lawmakers.
On October 17, 2024, Gbarpolu County Representative Luther Collins publicly acknowledged receiving an initial payment of $15,000 as part of a controversial scheme aimed at garnering support for Koffa’s removal. Collins revealed in a recent interview that the total amount earmarked for each lawmaker involved in this endeavor was a staggering $25,000. Sources hinted that this fund was being made available by the Executive.
Speaking at a public engagement in District 11, Montserrado County, Koon asserted that the government needed what he considers a “Regime Speaker” and his ascension to the speakership was necessary to advance the government’s ARREST Agenda, the policy initiative of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration.
“The ARREST Agenda must be fulfilled,” Koon asserted. “That’s why we said an opposition Speaker will not push our agenda. We need to have our own Speaker. Today, I am the regime Speaker, the Speaker of the Republic of Liberia, who is 100 percent supporting His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai. No Speaker from the opposition will promote our agenda.”
Koon accused Koffa of suppressing the ARREST Agenda and other critical government initiatives, despite Koffa’s previous collaboration with the Executive Branch, which had even drawn criticism from his party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
“The ARREST Agenda was suppressed by the opposition Speaker,” Koon claimed. “We could not sit there and let it go any further.”
Koffa’s Defiance and Legal Challenges
Meanwhile, Speaker Koffa has repeatedly maintained that his removal is illegal, accusing the Majority Bloc of using “illegal means and the force of the Executive” to seize power. In response to a letter allegedly sent by Representative James Kolleh and purportedly written by Chief Clerk Mildred Sayon, Koffa dismissed the communication and reiterated his refusal to step down.
Upon his recent return from the United States, Koffa doubled down on his stance, citing remarks by Justice Minister Tweh and asserting that his interpretation of the situation had paved the way for what he called “illegal acts.” He made it clear that he would not engage in further discussions on the matter, leaving the Majority Bloc to proceed as they saw fit.
Minority Bloc To Boycott Koon’s Sessions**
Members of the Minority Bloc, also known as the Rule of Law Caucus, on Thursday vowed to boycott Koon’s legislative sessions. On Thursday, the Caucus announced its commitment to convene daily legislative sessions in adherence to Article 33 of the Liberian Constitution, which grants Speaker Koffa the authority to preside over the House of Representatives.
Article 33 explicitly prohibits the suspension or expulsion of any member of the Rule of Law Caucus by the Majority Bloc lawmakers, reinforcing Koffa’s legitimacy as Speaker. The Caucus has pledged to utilize Article 33 effectively until the Supreme Court provides a definitive interpretation of the Bill of Information, a legal document at the center of the current political dispute.
“The Constitution is clear on our roles and responsibilities,” stated Nimba County District #7 Representative and Chairman of the Caucus Musa Hassan Bility. “We will continue to exercise our duties as mandated by law, ensuring that the House of Representatives functions in the best interest of the Liberian people.”
Forcible Eviction
The crisis took a violent turn on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, when the Majority Bloc forcibly evicted Speaker Koffa from his office. The eviction, led by Bong County Representative James Kolleh, involved breaking into the Speaker’s office and removing Koffa’s personal belongings. Kolleh admitted that no court order authorized the eviction but argued that Koffa had not obtained the office through legal means.
The forceful eviction followed months of tension between the Majority Bloc and Speaker Koffa, who had repeatedly refused to vacate his position despite demands from the Majority Bloc to make way for their elected Speaker, Richard Koon.
The Rural Law Caucus of the House of Representatives has strongly condemned the Majority Bloc’s actions, describing them as “unlawful, reckless, and dangerous.” The Caucus characterized the eviction as a direct assault on Liberia’s democratic institutions.
Supreme Court Ruling and Executive Endorsement
The controversy deepened in early December 2024 when the Supreme Court of Liberia ruled that actions taken by the Majority Bloc during the leadership standoff were “ultra vires” (beyond their legal authority) if they deviated from the intent of Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution. However, on December 10, 2024, both the Executive Branch and the Liberian Senate endorsed the Majority Bloc’s actions, further complicating the matter.
Despite Koffa’s recent petition for a bill of information being denied, he has vowed to return to the courts to challenge his removal.
Polarization and Power Struggles
The election of Richard Koon has polarized the House of Representatives, with lawmakers sharply divided between supporters of Koffa and Koon. While Koon’s allies argue that his election reflects the will of the majority, Koffa’s camp contends that the process was flawed and lacks legal legitimacy.
The Majority Bloc has further consolidated its power by restructuring key House committees, removing Koffa loyalists such as Representative Dixon Seboe from the Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget Committee. Critics, including Representative Yekeh Kolubah, have accused the bloc of using committee appointments to generate illegal
funds through the national budget.As the political standoff continues to worsen, Liberia’s democratic institutions face unprecedented challenges, with the rule of law and constitutional order hanging in the balance. The coming weeks will
