Liberia-As the storm hovering over the House of Representatives regarding the removal of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa is still ragging, Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah appears unsettled as to what to do, whether to continue to defy all odds and stay with the so-called majority bloc or join the camp of the under-fire Speaker, who and him share the same platform as executive members of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), the immediate former ruling party.
Rep. Fallah has been siding with the anti-Koffa bloc since the inception of the commotion to oust the Speaker on far-reaching allegations of conflict of interest, corruption, budget manipulation and undermining the effectiveness of the House.
Speaker Koffa has denied all of the allegations, and even vowed not to resign.
However, amid unending pressure for him (Fallah) to return to status quo and to demonstrate undulated allegiance to party discipline, he has pleaded with his colleagues on the other side of the aisle to grant him time to enable him consult with his lawyers as to the way out for him and political life.
In a communication cascaded on social media under his signature, Deputy Speaker Fallah first acknowledged receipt of two communications addressed to him, in which he said his colleagues invoked appropriate provisions of the rules and procedures of the House of Representatives as well as the Constitution of Liberia to compel him to appear in the Joint Chambers on yesterday where the Majority Bloc is converging to transact business.
He also acknowledged that the situation is on account of the resolution by all members of the Majority Bloc to remove Speaker Koffa.
“In view of the above, and considering that these proceedings squarely and seriously border on our Rules and Procedures, and the sacred Liberian Constitution, I write to crave the indulgence of my colleagues on the other side in the Joint Chamber to excuse my absence today in order to allow me some time to consult with my legal team regarding the matter at hand,” Rep. Fallah wrote.
According to him, the request for ample time to consult with his legal team is to enable him make an informed decision that will not contravene the Liberian constitution and other relevant statues.
Pressure has been mounting on lawmakers of the CDC, including Deputy Speaker Fallah to back off from what the party considered as betrayal and violation of party rules and discipline, which according to the party could result to the expulsion of the concerned lawmakers from the noble party.
