Capitol Hill – A by-election could be on the horizon in Grand Kru County District 2 as embattled Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa is reportedly considering stepping down as a Representative.
Sources close to the embattled Speaker suggest he is unwilling to serve under Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, whom he believes was placed there through an “illegal process.”
Despite maintaining that his removal was unlawful, Koffa has been absent from regular House sittings since some of his colleagues began the process of removing him as Speaker of the House. His prolonged absence, coupled with reports of internal tensions, has fueled speculation that he may step down altogether.
A close associate, speaking anonymously, revealed that Speaker Koffa sees continued service under Koon as a humiliation. “He believes staying as an ordinary lawmaker after serving as Speaker would be disrespectful, especially under someone he considers illegally elected. There are even reports that the Majority wants to assign him an office near the bathroom, which he finds insulting,” the source disclosed.
Koffa, a seasoned lawyer, is said to be considering a return to private legal practice, where his firms have been offering consultancy services to several companies. If he resigns, his departure will trigger a by-election, requiring the National Elections Commission (NEC) to conduct fresh polls in Grand Kru County District 2.
The House’s Standing Rules set clear guidelines for absenteeism. Rule 21 states that no lawmaker can be absent for more than two weeks without formal approval. Violators could face penalties or even an official declaration of vacancy, but whether this will apply to Koffa’s situation is anyone’s guess as he’s been forced out of his position by some of his colleagues who are yet to obtain the required 49 votes to remove him as speaker.
Should embattled Speaker Koffa formally step down, the House leadership would be required to inform the NEC, setting the stage for a new electoral process in the district. The potential by-election would likely draw attention from political stakeholders, given Koffa’s influence and the ruling establishment’s efforts to consolidate power in the legislature.
With Koffa’s next move still uncertain, political discussions in Grand Kru are intensifying. The possibility of a by-election raises questions about who might emerge as a frontrunner to replace him and how his supporters will react.
If he exits, it would mark a significant political shift, reshaping the representation of Grand Kru County and altering the dynamics within the House of Representatives. For now, all eyes remain on Koffa’s decision, as his next step could have far-reaching consequences.
(Courtesy Gibson Gee Gibson)
