MONROVIA: As the raging crisis triggered by attempt by some lawmakers, calling themselves ‘Majority Bloc’ who seek to dethrone Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa, as Speaker of the House of Representatives continues, analysts say the Government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai risks serious constitutional crisis, which, if not properly handled, may lead to a complete shutdown of its operations at the detriment of the entire Liberian Nation.
On October 17, 2024, over 40 members of the self-styled group: ‘Majority Bloc’, signed a Resolution to remove Jonathan Fonati Koffa as Speaker of the House of Representatives while the Speaker was out of the country on official duties in the United States and Italy.
Upon his return to Liberia, Speaker Koffa pleaded with the rebellious lawmakers to dialogue with his leadership aimed at finding amicable resolutions to the matters.
Conversely, members of the ‘majority bloc’ refused to listen to the House Speaker as they vowed not to sit under his gavel as a constitutional authority.
In line with their Resolution, the ‘majority bloc’ began holding separate sessions in the absent of both the House Speaker and Deputy Speaker, while those who remain loyal to Speaker Koffa had not also reached a quorum for Plenary Session as well.
Article 29 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia clearly states that: “The Legislative power of the Republic shall be vested in the Legislature of Liberia which shall consist of two separate Houses: A Senate and a House of Representatives, both of which must pass all legislations. The enactment styled shall be: “It is enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia in Legislature assembled.”
Interestingly, members of the self-styled ‘majority bloc,’ headed by Nimba County Representative, Samuel Kogar, later transferred their gathering from the Capitol, the Seat of the Liberian Legislature, to a local hotel, the RLJ Resort, in Paynesville, outside Monrovia, although, according to keen observers, their discussions appeared fruitless thus far.
A strong Koffa supporter, Nimba County District#-7 Representative, Musa Hassan Bility, has expressed disappointment over what he calls misconduct of his fellow lawmakers by boycotting sessions.
He then called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to intervene in the ongoing impasse at the House of Representatives.
Representative Bility also calls for calm in the Lower House. Bility added that if Executive Branch does not intervene, his team (supporters of Speaker Koffa) “will shut down” the government, headed by President Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung.
Representative Bility also called for the immediate intervention of the President to amicably resolve the situation at the House of Representatives.
Bility: “Mr. President, I’m telling you emphatically that Speaker Koffa will not resign. If the anti-Koffa bloc does not adhere to the Supreme Court’s mandate, the Boakai government will face paralysis.”
Article 33 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, says simple majority of each House shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a lower number may adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members. Whenever the House of Representatives and the Senate shall meet in Joint Session, the Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives shall preside, Representative Bility disclosed.
The anti-Koffa bloc can continue to solicit numbers to remove the speaker, it is legal and welcoming, but any attempt to plot against him, Speaker Koffa will not resign,” Representative Bility declared.
Legislative experts are of the view that the prolongation of the crisis in the House of Representatives is fast becoming dangerous for the peace, stability and progress of the country, as the ten-month old Boakai-Koung government is heading for a bigger Constitutional dilemma that could further embarrassed the State.
The current standoff at the House of Representatives has drawn the attention of political actors, civil rights campaigners, human rights activists, all of whom called on members of the 55th Legislature who are disenchanted to remove the speaker through the due process of law, and to act within the provisions of the Constitution of Liberia.
The current saga in the House of Representatives is also derailing the function of the House of Representatives.
Recently, Senate Pro-Tempore, Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence, on Thursday, Oct 24, 2024, constituted a committee headed by Grand Bassa County Senator, Gbezonghar Milton Findley, and Senator Wellington Geevon Smith of Rivercess County to intervene and mediate between the two groups of Representatives in the Lower House.
Other Members appointed to the mediation committee also include Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely of Grand Gedeh County; Maryland County Senator Gbleh-bo Brown; and Grand Cape Mount County Senator Dabbah Mabande Varpilah.
Despite the efforts by members of the Senate to amicably resolve the issues at the Lower House, the ‘majority bloc’ members are intransigent over their six-count allegations against the House Speaker, although they have not provided any evidence.
However, the Supreme Court of Liberia also intervened by placing a ‘Stay Order’ on all proceedings and the conduct of session by the ‘majority bloc’ due to a writ of prohibition filed against the group by Speaker Koffa.
But, in response, the ‘majority bloc’ has argued on the constitutionality of the Supreme Court’s prohibition order, vowing to conduct session.
To this effect, according to reports, the ‘majority bloc’ has been holding discussions at the luxurious RLJ Resort, one of Liberia’s world-class hotels.
