MONROVIA-The chaos and confusion at the House of Representatives, arising from the somewhat outlandish removal of Speaker, Cllr. J. Fornati Koffa may be on the verge of ending in light of President Joseph Boakai’s recognition of the Majority Bloc as a legitimate fusion, and the endorsement of the ill-elected Speaker, Rep. Richard Koon, relying on the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Liberia.
But whether the President’s recognition and endorsement of the Majority Bloc and Rep. Koon of the Unity Party has paved way for embattled Speaker Fornati Koffa to throw in the towel is the answer-begging concern.
Besides using the Supreme Court ruling as reliance, political observers strongly believe the President’s action is a shroud of political interest since Rep. Koon is a ranking member of the ruling Unity Party as compared to Koffa who comes from the opposition bloc, the former ruling Congress for Democratic Change (CDC).
President Boakai in a statement yesterday, affirmed the constitutional legitimacy of the ongoing legislative processes in the House of Representatives.
The statement which was issued yesterday Tuesday December 10, 2024 in Monrovia, President Boakai cited a recent opinion from the Supreme Court, which clarified the constitutional standards for a valid plenary session.
The Court’s ruling, according to President Boakai, confirms that the majority members of the House are within their legal rights to conduct business and make decisions that align with both the constitution and the standing rules of the legislature.
The President noted that the Court’s analysis explicitly supports the notion that decisions made by a majority-led plenary-provided they adhere to the requirements outlined by the judiciary-are valid and enforceable. This includes the ongoing budgetary process, which, Boakai said, remains entirely within legal bounds.
“The budgetary process can be lawfully carried out by the majority members of the House of Representatives, as long as they follow the standards set forth by the Supreme Court,” Boakai said. He added, “Any decisions made under these parameters are constitutional, legal, and binding.”
Boakai’s endorsement comes at a critical juncture for the legislature, as the country’s budgetary and legislative priorities continue to unfold. The statement is likely to have significant implications for the ongoing political dynamics, particularly in terms of how the majority bloc, led by Speaker Koon, continues to navigate legislative affairs in the coming months.
At the same time, latest reports gathered say the Liberian Senate has officially resolved to uphold the Ministry of Justice’s interpretation of the Supreme Court’s ruling. The decision was disclosed by Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence yesterday.
According to Pro-Tempore Lawrence, the resolution followed a consultative meeting held among senators.
The Ministry of Justice in an interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling affirmed that the Majority bloc is acting in accordance with the Constitution and announced that the Executive will conduct business with the Majority.
At the same time, a local daily yesterday reported how President Joseph Boakai reportedly urged House Speaker Fonati Koffa to resign, threatening to strip him of immunities, including security and police protection, if he refuses.
According sources close to a Tuesday morning meeting, President Boakai requested Speaker Koffa’s resignation, and even warned that he would support the Majority Bloc’s push to remove him from office and revoke all his protections.
The sources further claimed that Speaker Koffa, visibly upset, responded defiantly, stating that he would respect the law and remain in his position despite any threats. However, the Speaker is yet to address the matter publicly.
President Boakai’s unverified ukase follows heightened ferocious altercation at the Capitol Building on Monday when heavily armed police officers stormed the seat of the Legislature, injuring lawmakers and staffers aligned with Speaker Koffa.
The police going to the Building which sparked tension, was allegedly on the request of the Majority Bloc to facilitate the 2025 budget hearings, a process Speaker Koffa had earlier declared the hearings illegal and advised the Executive Branch to boycott the process.
The situation ballooned when supporters of the Speaker attempted to block the hearings, resulting in a violent confrontation when the police arrived.
