-Minority Bloc Joins Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – The Rule of Law Legislative Caucus of the 55th House of Representatives (Minority) has announced its decision to reconvene with members of the majority bloc. However, insiders suggest that this move is part of a larger strategic plan, and contrary to how it is seen on the surface.
The House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia has been in crisis since October 17, 2024, when 47 members of the 55th Legislature sought to remove Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. The lawmakers cited misconduct and incompetence. On November 21, Representative Richard Nagbe Koon was controversially elected as the “new Speaker” but several lawmakers branded his election as a fraudulent one.
What prompted the crossover?
The Rule of Law Legislative Caucus cites unresolved issues stemming from the Supreme Court’s recent ruling. At a news conference on Tuesday, Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility articulated the group’s concerns, emphasizing the need for legislative dialogue to address critical grievances.
“We have waited for the Supreme Court to clarify its last ruling, but to no avail,” Bility stated. “In light of this, we must take a different approach to resolve our differences through direct Legislative interactions.”
The Caucus aims to address several key issues during the upcoming sessions, including Election of Leadership, Salary Suspensions, Committee Reconstitution, and Unreleased Benefits.
The group opposes the election of a new Speaker, arguing that a Speaker was already legitimately elected by the Constitution and the House’s established rules.
The Caucus condemns the suspension and withholding of salaries for certain members, asserting that such actions violate the internal regulations of the House.
Members express strong disapproval of the dissolution and reconstitution of all committees, which they believe contravenes established protocols. The Caucus is also demanding the immediate release of benefits owed to its members, which the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has reportedly remitted to the House of Representatives account.
Bility emphasized the Caucus’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law, stating, “We are prepared to pursue appropriate legal actions while simultaneously seeking legislative resolutions on the floor of the House.”
In closing, he expressed gratitude to the citizens of Liberia for their continued support, assuring them of the Caucus’s dedication to maintaining the rule of law in the face of ongoing challenges. “We stand united in our commitment to serve the people and uphold the principles of justice and governance,” Bility affirmed.
The Political Maneuvering
Vandalark R. Patricks, a loyalist of Embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa disclosed that in the coming weeks following the return of the House of Representatives, the Rule of Law Squad is expected to introduce a motion or complaint on the floor of the House of Representatives. This step aims to compel Representative Richard Koon to reconsider the contentious decision that led to the suspension of key Committee Members under Speaker Koffa, who was subsequently replaced by new heads appointed by the Majority Bloc.
Furthermore, Patricks says another motion is anticipated, demanding that the House of Representatives afford Speaker Koffa due process in light of the ongoing legal challenges surrounding his alleged illegal removal. This process remains incomplete, as a Bill of Information is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
He predicts that these developments will ignite a serious debate within the House, potentially reshaping the current political landscape. Notably, there are over 25 members from the Minority Bloc who are now positioned within the Majority Bloc, ready to rally in support of their colleagues who they believe were unjustly removed from their positions.
Patricks believes that if Koon chooses to ignore the forthcoming motions, it is believed that a faction of the Majority Bloc—comprising around eight members who were promised lucrative positions under his controversial Speakership but have reportedly been sidelined—may defect to the Rule of Law Squad.
While he (Patricks) says the identity of a potential successor to Koon remains unclear, but maintains that the rejoining of the Minority Bloc as the Rule of Law Squad appears to be a calculated move that could alter the course of the ongoing political saga.
The closure and return
The House of Representatives closed on January 6, 2025, and is expected to reconvene on January 13, 2025. Representatives will gather in the chamber, where the Sergeant-at-Arms is set to announce the sitting. Weeks later, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai will deliver his second State of the Nation address.
According to Article 58 of the Constitution of Liberia, the President is required to present the legislative program for the upcoming session and report on the state of the nation on the fourth working Monday in January each year. This constitutional duty includes a comprehensive overview of the nation’s economic condition, detailing expenditures and income.
However, the House of Representatives “Majority Bloc”, through its Chair on Rules, Order and Administration Representative James Kolleh, recently revealed that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) will not take place in the traditional venue of the Joint Chamber of the national Legislature.
The decision is rooted in necessary renovation work on the chamber. “We are resolved that SONA will not be conducted in the William R. Torbert Joint Chamber. That is off the mark. It is not possible,” Kolleh stated. He emphasized the logistical challenges posed by ongoing renovations. “The issue of the SONA at the Capitol is hereby canceled,” he added and indicated that alternative venues are currently under discussion with the Executive branch.
