By Jerromie S. Walters
The self-styled “Majority Bloc” of the House of Representatives, through Bong County District 2 Representative James Kolleh, has formally requested embattled Speaker Cllr. I. Fonati Koffa to vacate his office. They want the “newly elected” Speaker, Richard Nagbe Koon, to take over.
The communication warns that if Koffa does not leave, his belongings will be removed. This message was sent to Koffa via text by Kolleh, who is now the Chairman on Rules, Order & Administration.
The text reads: “Happy New Year Hon. Koffa, hope you are doing well. Just a reminder about the office key. If you don’t, we might get your things outside. The speaker needs to prepare his office before our return.”
House Tension and Koon’s Controversial Election
Tensions heighten on October 17, 2024, when 47 members of the 55th Legislature sought to remove Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, citing misconduct and incompetence. On November 21, Representative Richard Nagbe Koon was controversially elected as the “new Speaker” of the 55th Legislature.
The “Majority Bloc” claims that about 50 members supported Koon’s election. However, many later retracted their support, and labeled the election as “fraudulent.” The Bloc has since suspended several lawmakers, despite a Supreme Court ruling that deemed their actions improper.
Koffa Declares He Remains Speaker
Despite the turmoil, Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa insists he remains the Speaker of the House. He announced on his Facebook page last month that he had been informed of the withdrawal of all state security personnel assigned to him.
Koffa stated, “I have officially been informed that all State security will be withdrawn tomorrow. These actions from The Executive do NOT change the fact that I remain The Speaker of The House of Representatives. This only further strengthens my resolve to fight for upholding the Rule of Law and The Liberian Constitution.” Following the Bloc decision to ensure that he leaves the Speaker’s office, he stated: “You can be riding in the hurricane’s eye and still have peace within.”
Upcoming Legislative Sessions
The Legislature is set to close on January 6, 2025, and will resume on January 13, 2025, for the first quarter of its second session. Representatives will gather in the chamber, where the Sergeant At-Arms will announce the sitting. The Speaker is expected to address his colleagues at the opening of the session.
Following this, the State of the Nation Address (SONA) will occur a week later, as mandated by Article 58 of the Liberian Constitution. This requires the President to present the administration’s legislative program to the nation through its Representatives and Senators on the fourth working Monday in January each year.
