Editor’s Note: The following exchange of letters follows the initial open letter by Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey to members of the ‘Majority Bloc’ of the House of Representatives, who are campaigning for the removal of House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. Below, Rep. Anthony F. Williams, member of the Majority Bloc, has responded herewith to Dr. Pailey’s letter, followed by Dr. Pailey’s rebuttal to Rep. Williams’.
Dear Madame Robtel Neajai Pailey,
Ref: Official Response To Your Open Letter Dated 11th November 2024 and Originally Published in the Daily Observer Newspaper
I acknowledge your efforts, which are guaranteed under freedom of expression. However, I am taken aback by your letter describing members of the majority bloc at the 55th House of Representatives as dishonorable lawbreakers. Your understanding of legislative politics appears elementary, and it is bewildering that an academician would conclude on mere hearsay and bribery allegations without proper authentication. The majority members of the honorable House of Representatives have expressed, and continue to express, disenchantment against their colleague (the Speaker), who is just first among equals as described in legislative phraseology.
Once again, this pertains to Liberia, and it is not surprising that the naivety of the state has permitted individuals such as yourself to formulate analyses and reach conclusions regarding significant issues based on scant allegations, akin to ordinary Liberians or informal street peddlers. It is the responsibility of an academician to present thoroughly researched facts and substantiated evidence, rather than to engage in unfounded speculation similar to that of a common “lil man” analysis—in Liberia saying. Unlike those who spread rumors and misinformation without a second thought, a true scholar relies on rigorous investigation and verified data to conclude. It is beneath the dignity of an academician to stoop to the level of idle gossip and unfounded claims as you have done in your open letter.
Madame Pailey, we are aware that Liberia is a nation where, despite the frequent suppression and distortion of truth, there is a belief that truth will ultimately prevail. In a context filled with numerous challenges and complex reasoning, the resilience of the Liberian people plays a crucial role in ensuring that truth, even when hidden, will eventually surface. The misinterpretation surrounding our efforts to restore integrity and dignity within the 55th House of Representatives highlights a commitment to seeking and upholding the truth.
Madame Pailey, I want to enlighten you about the workings of the legislature, specifically on majoritarianism. The dominance of the majority can streamline decision-making and ensure stable governance. According to the House of Representatives Standing Rule #12, the majority faction has the authority to convene a session either with the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker. This rule emphasizes the necessity of centralized leadership within the House to preserve procedural integrity and decorum.
Madame Pailey, Article 33 of the Constitution of Liberia states that a quorum for the transaction of business in the Legislature shall consist of a simple majority of each House. However, a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members. This ensures that legislative business can proceed efficiently while maintaining the integrity of the decision-making process.
Majority Bloc’s Position:
As the majority bloc of the Honorable House of Representatives, we have expressed our concerns that the Speaker is conflicted and has lost our trust and confidence. Therefore, we believe he should recuse himself and face an investigative committee as part of due process since we have not yet gathered the required 49 members to initiate his removal.
Application of the Clause:
The clause that allows a smaller number to adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members is applicable during normal proceedings when the Speaker still enjoys the confidence of the majority. This is not the case with the current Speaker, Honorable J. Fonati Koffa, of the 55th National Legislature, who has lost the total confidence of the majority. This is where we stand!
Supreme Court ruling on who is Right
Madame Pailey, how can you call us, the majority bloc of the Honorable House of Representatives, ‘dishonorable’ when even the Justice in Chamber of the Honorable Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia declined to place an injunction on our legislative activities? The Justice explicitly informed Honorable J. Fonati Koffa (Speaker) and his minority bloc that the conduct of legislative affairs by the majority bloc within the joint chamber has not violated any law. Therefore, they cannot issue an injunction as prayed for by the Speaker. Madame, who is dishonorable here? The minority bloc, headed by the Speaker, is damaging the properties of the National Legislature and using teargas on their colleagues. We, on the other hand, will not engage in any act that violates the Constitution or impedes the function of the government, specifically the first branch (the National Legislature). Instead, we will act in conformity with the law as we peacefully conduct our duties and functions assigned to us by our various constituents.
The recent ruling of the Supreme Court confirmed that it would not stop the majority bloc’s actions but stress the importance of providing due process in Speaker Koffa’s potential removal.
Madame Pailey, you stated that if it is proven we accepted “bribes to sack the Speaker,” Liberians will use their constitutionally-mandated powers to remove us, the majority members, from office, come 2029. Again, rendering a guilty verdict without facts is logically faulty and undermines the principles of justice and fairness. Your assertion about hijacking is incorrect, considering that the majority, which is the foundation for decision-making, is currently managing the affairs of the august body. The elected representatives are fulfilling their mandate by conducting legislative business per the principles of majority rule. The actions taken are within our authority’s scope and aim to ensure effective governance and representation. Therefore, the claim that we have hijacked the legislative process and violated our oath is unfounded.
We, the majority bloc, acknowledge the rights to free speech and freedom of expression, and we welcome all participation in matters like this. However, we also encourage those who wish to contribute to the discourse to do so with sincerity and refrain from spreading falsehoods.
In conclusion, it is important to clarify that the majority bloc has not engaged in any form of bribery, nor has it been influenced or tampered with, as some are suggesting in various parts of Liberia. We strongly resent these unfounded allegations, which serve as the basis for your conclusion.
The majority bloc remains steadfast in its commitment to exercising its constitutional mandate under the House’s Standing Rules. This rule empowers the majority to convene sessions and make decisions that uphold the integrity and procedural decorum of the House. No amount of mischaracterization will distort or undermine our actions, which are rooted in the principles of our responsibilities, and will be carried out without fear or favor.
Yours Sincerely,
Honorable Anthony F. Williams
Member, Majority Bloc
REPRESENTATIVE
Pleebo Sodoken District, Maryland County
55th National Legislature, Republic of Liberia
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Dear Representative Williams:
I acknowledge receipt of your message, with thanks, yet must rebut a number of false claims in your response to my open letter.
I am a scholar of the first order whose reputation speaks for itself. It goes without saying that I do not write and publish anything based on ‘hearsay’.
I have been following the ongoing leadership crisis at the House of Representatives since it began. I have read everything related to your impasse in a number of different outlets and triangulated my sources (as an experienced researcher would), dissected your House Rules and Procedures, consulted Liberian legal and constitutional experts, re-read the Constitution of 1986, and come up with my own independent assessment of the situation. This hardly qualifies as ‘misinformation’, ‘falsehoods’, ‘rumor’, ‘speculation’ or ‘idle gossip’.
My meticulously researched letter was written last week and published early Monday morning (11 November), long before the alleged vandalism of the joint chambers. Before then, I tried to track down the names and contact information of the so-called ‘majority bloc’ for over a week in order to reach you directly, and only received your details yesterday from a legislative staff member. Many of the email addresses recorded in your official House directory were incorrect and bounced back. The fact that your full names, official email addresses and phone numbers are not listed in a publicly available database online is a travesty (as I stated in my National Oration), but this is a separate issue that I hope you will take up in due course. No member of the House/Senate should be using gmail/yahoo/hotmail to conduct official business.
Nowhere does it state explicitly in House Rule 12 or Article 33 of the Constitution that a ‘majority’ faction can meet to regularly transact House business in a parallel/alternate process. It says that a ‘minority may meet from day to day’. It is unclear what authorizes you to demand that the Speaker “recuse himself and face an investigative committee as part of due process” while you bide your time to gather the two-thirds majority required to remove him. This is a genuine concern that you have not convincingly addressed in your case against the Speaker. The fact that Justice in Chamber Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay did not place an injunction on your legislative activities does not expressly justify your actions. Moreover, the Supreme Court is equally compromised and there is sufficient evidence from recent memory to prove this.
I did not render a guilty verdict without facts. I clearly said “if it is proven you accepted bribes to sack the Speaker”…if being the operative word here. Furthermore, one of your colleagues confessed that a number of you had allegedly received bribes of US$25,000 each to support a resolution to oust the Speaker, with US$15,000 paid up front. This is an egregious accusation that the LACC has vowed to investigate. The ‘if’ in my letter was alluding to these developments which have been in the public domain for weeks.
I would like to end this exchange by categorically stating I am neither pro-Speaker nor pro-‘majority bloc’. I am pro-Liberia and my analysis will always stem from this position. I reserve the right to speak truth to power responsibly, without fear or favor, no matter who it offends.
Sincerely,
Robtel Neajai Pailey
