By: H. Richard Fallah
MONROVIA: Following intense behind the scene lobbying and negotiations among members of the Liberian Senate, Grand Bassa County’s newly elected Senator, Gbezhongar Milton Findley, has reportedly given way to his compatriot from Grand Bassa County, Senator Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence for the
the President Pro-Tempore post.
With just few days to elect a new President Pro-Tempore of the Senate in the 55th National Legislature, the two Grand Bassa Senators were said to be contesting for the top post after incumbent Pro-Tempore, Albert Tugbe Chie, hinted that he was not interested to contest for second term as Administrative Head of the Senate.
Reports say, so far, the Grand Bassa County Senator, Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence is the only left in the race and she has been comfortably tipped to become the next Senate Pro-Tempore.
The female Senator’s chances of grabbing such a powerful and influential seat in the governance structure of Liberia, became clearer and unhindered after she won the unqualified support of current Pro-Tempore, Albert Tugbe Chie, who is now stepping aside from the Pro-Tempore post.
What is even more encouraging for Senator Karngar-Lawrence’s quest for the Pro-Tempore position, is the fact that her only recent main contender who also hails from the same Grand Bassa, former President Pro-Tempore, Milton Gbezhongar Finley’s withdrawal from the process, leaving Senator Lawrence almost going unopposed.
Article 47 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia states that: “The Senate shall elect every six years a President Pro-Tempore who shall preside in the absence of the President of the Senate, and such other officer as shall ensure the proper functioning of the Senate.”
In addition, the Senate possesses several exclusive powers under the Constitution, including the power to advice and consent to the President’s appointments to both the Executive and Judicial Branches; and the duty to try all public officials impeached by the House of Representatives.
The office of the President Pro Tempore role is to assume the responsibilities of the President of the Senate, (who is also the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia), when absent.
As the Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, who is also a Senator of a County; is just considered “First Amongst Equals” and oversees rules, procedures and further presides over regular sessions during Plenary discussions but during the Vice President’s absence.
Except when necessary or to highlight important votes, the Vice President and the President Pro Tempore rarely preside; instead, the duty of Presiding Officer is rotated to give senators experience in parliamentary procedures.
Unlike the Vice President, the President Pro Tempore cannot cast vote to break a tie-on vote, when the Senate is evenly divided. The President Pro-Tempore enjoyed many privileges and some limited powers.
With the above constitutional mandate, and from all indications, the Liberian Senate is close to making an unprecedented history as the body prepares to elect the first female Senate Pro-Tempore in post-war Liberia and second female Pro-Tempore in the history of the Liberian Legislature.
Many political and legislative analysts’ are of the strongest conviction that the most preferable Senator poised for such position is the Grand Bassa County Senator, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence.
According to some, based on her wealth of experience and demonstrated leadership ability, the female Senator is well-suited to lead the Senate as the Pro Tempore.
The Grand Bassa County female senator election as Pro-Tempore in the 55th Legislature will bring back the memories of the first female Pro-Tempore in the recent history of the Country, Madam Grace Beatrice Minor, who once served as Senator of Montserrado County and President Pro- Tempore of the Liberian Senate from 2002 to 2003.
Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence is poised to replace Senator Albert Chie of Grand Kru County, who has now thrown his support to her (Senator Karngar- Lawrence) after serving in that position for six years.
The Pro-Temp position may be handed to the female senator on a silver platter, especially after one of the major contenders who had interests for the Pro-Tempore position, Senator J. Emmanuel Nuquay, of Margibi County got sanctioned by the United States Government for his alleged involvement in acts of corruption including bribery.
Rumors circulated earlier that the Margibi County Senator had a vested interest in contesting for the position, but had to give-up after being named in the recent visa restriction action imposed on him by the U.S Department of State.
However, he faces the challenge of rallying his colleagues’ support, as some have openly expressed skepticisms about his ambition for the Pro-Tempore position.
Senator Karngar-Lawrence also has to her advantage the support of the President-elect Joseph Nyuma Boakai who she stood by and served throughout the critical 2023 elections and also on the other hand, the majority of her colleagues in the Liberian Senate.
There are reports that President-elect Boakai prefers the Grand Bassa County Senator and has promised his support for her Pro-Tempore bid in exchange for her support in his bid for the Presidency, especially after choosing Country above personal interest.
Senator Karngar-Lawrence currently chairs the committee on Rules, Order, and Administration at the Liberian Senate, and is also serving her second term, representing the people of Grand Bassa County.
Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence who is the first female Senator of Grand Bassa County, was Born and raised in the West African Nation of Liberia.
Gbosaydeh, (inheritance) as she is locally and affectionately referred to in her native land of Bassa, is a fearless women’s rights campaigner, social justice activist. She urrently chairs the “Women Legislative Caucus” at the Legislature.
She was first elected to the Senate in 2013 to replace the late Grand Bassa County Senator, John Francis Whitfield and recently reelected during the 2020 Special Senatorial elections.
Throughout her first term, she stood as the only female in a Senate comprising 29 men. Despite facing attempts by some of her male colleagues in the Senate to distract her, she did not give-up as she remained focused and persistent in her advocacies for good governance, a fight, which generated for her nicknames such as the “Lioness” and the “Iron Lady of the Senate” from many of her admirers.
As Senator, Nyonblee has dedicated her time, energy, and resources to amplifying the voices of Liberians, particularly those at the lowest of the nation’s socio-economic ladder.
