MONROVIA: As members of the 55th Legislature head to the polls for several vacant posts, a civil society organization, identified as “Movement with Integrity for National Development (MIND),” has declared that Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa brings to the table accountable style of leadership in the House of Representatives, if he is elected as Speaker of the 55th Legislature.
Representative Jonathan Koffa is the current Deputy Speaker of the 54th National Legislature.
The Grand Kru County District# 2 Lawmaker, according to MIND’s Executive Director, Sekou D. Sonii, has served with distinction, integrity, and irresponsibleness.
Mr. Sonnii indicated that Cllr. Koffa , commands the respect of his legislative colleagues and members of the Liberian public based on his vast knowledge as it relates to the three cardinal responsibilities of the National Legislature including lawmaking, representation, and oversight.
The CSO group said with demonstration of decency in both public and private services which encapsulates accountability and trustworthiness as well as transparency in the use of public authority, Deputy Speaker Koffa is more suitable for such crucial national responsibility.
“Now, therefore, in view of the search of Leadership of the House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature, in which Hon. Koffa has presented himself for preferment by his colleagues, we declare our unquestionable support for him as the well-suited candidate for post,” MIND said in statement issued on Tuesday, January 2, 2023.
MIND: “We opine that his contenders are reputationally a massive mismatch to him as we observed that his contenders, knowing their faults and being deficit of public trust, have commenced huge dollarization of the process to blinding some of their colleagues eyes to the reality. “We call on the rest of the members to avoid being manipulated by monies being distributed by some of the contenders as it is being alleged, for the post of speaker and do the requisite due diligence for the sake of getting the best suitable candidate for the post, the group indicated.
Sonii stressed the importance for members of the 55th Legislature to see reasons to elect Rep. Koffa “for the fact that his main contenders are by their deeds over the proved themselves to be unfit” as regards effectively leading that august body.
However, reports say, the majority bloc, comprising old lawmakers and Representatives-elect has pledged its unflinching support to the Grand Kru Representative in a Resolution signed by over 40 lawmakers from fifteen (15) counties of Liberia.
Some legislative analysts on Capitol Hill in Monrovia pointed out that with additional number of Representatives supporting Cllr. Koffa, the United States trained Lawyer and lawmaker is heading for possible victory at the polls slated for 15, January, 2024.
The race for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives is in fulfillment of Article 49 of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, which provides that “The House of Representatives shall elect once every six years a Speaker who shall be the presiding officer of the body, a Deputy Speaker, and such other officers as shall ensure the proper functioning of the House. The Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and other officers so elected may be removed from office for cause by resolution of a two-thirds majority of the members of the House.”
Rep. Koffa’s camp is reported to have gained more signatures to the pro-Koffa documents, increasing the number of his supporters to more than 40, out of the 73 eligible representative voters in the Lower House.
The Grand Kru District#2 Lawmaker and Deputy Speaker of the 54th Legislature, following the October 10, 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, and following his decisive victory, declared his intention to contest as Speaker of the House in the 55th Legislature. Soon, several names emerged.
However, two names have consistently made the headlines. Rep. Richard Nagbe Koon, Montserrado County, is the main opponent to Deputy Speaker Koffa for the Speakership.