By Mark N. Mengonfia
Liberia-Members of the House of Representatives were on Tuesday soliciting signatures to have Grand Kru County Representative, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, removed as Speaker of that body.
According to our legislative reporter, the grounds of the Liberian Legislature was a tension parked one as supporters of the Speaker, and anti -Kofa were seeking his removal seen fighting and abusing one another.
The doors to the Joint Chambers were all nailed to protect those who were seeking Koffa’s removal.
According to reports, the ‘rebels’ lawmakers are allegedly supported by Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of Liberia, who is currently in Italy at a conference.
The report says the President wants a Unity Party lawmaker to serve as a Speaker of that body as opposed to an opposition party.
It can be recalled that during the race for the speakership, the Unity Party’s candidate, Richard Koon was seen as the favorite. There were reports that president Boakai influenced the UP lawmakers to support their candidate. One of the reasons for the removal is the deputy speaker is from the opposition party-Coalition for Democratic Change-CDC, party of former president, George Weah.
Frank Saah Foko, a member of the Congress for Democratic Change, said, “My support to Speaker Koffa is unquestionable. Liberians be calmed, Speaker Koffa is the man, and he remains our Speaker for the next 5 years. We are in charge. Speaker Koffa has done no wrong, and no amount of money will remove Speaker Koffa.”
He added, “Our integrity is on the line, and the Liberian people are watching us. No unconstitutional business will be done here on the grounds of the capitol. Mr. Boakai’s mission to remove Speaker Koffa has failed again. We are here and in charge,” he said.
He also said on his social media handle that, “Our international partners have just reached out to get the list of representatives who are signing for US$25,000 to remove Speaker Koffa, and we have sent those names. They are corrupt, and they will be sanctioned. Take this under the season. Their plan has been uncovered, and we are in charge.”
