Monrovia – In what appears to be a subtle yet significant development amid the ongoing leadership dispute in Liberia’s House of Representatives, Rev. Trocon Langford, the religious advisor to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has failed to acknowledge Representative Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker during a church service on Sunday.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Rev. Langford, who also serves as the Senior Pastor of Effort Baptist Church where President Boakai is a deacon, welcomed Rep. Koon, referring to him only as “Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon” and not by the Speaker title claimed by the Majority Bloc. “We recognize the presence of Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon. We are happy to have you in service today. We say welcome,” Rev. Langford said, stopping short of acknowledging Koon’s contested leadership role in the House.
The incident comes as the House remains sharply divided following the Majority Bloc’s declaration of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s position as vacant and their subsequent election of Rep. Koon as Speaker. While the Executive Branch and the Liberian Senate have recognized Koon and the Majority Bloc’s authority, there are reports that diplomatic missions and the international community continue to engage with Speaker Koffa as the legitimate leader of the House.
Public Sentiment and Political Implications
Rev. Langford’s omission is being interpreted by some as an indication of broader public and institutional skepticism toward the Majority Bloc’s actions. Multiple opinion polls conducted by local media have shown that a significant portion of the public supports Speaker Koffa, criticizing the Majority Bloc’s decision as “unconstitutional and a power grab.”
As a senior member of President Boakai’s inner circle, Rev. Langford’s failure to acknowledge Koon’s claim to the speakership—especially in the presence of the President—has fueled speculation about an internal division within his administration regarding the legitimacy of the Majority Bloc’s actions.
A Deepening Crisis
The leadership impasse has cast a shadow over Liberia’s governance, complicating legislative functions at a critical time. With President Boakai set to deliver his State of the Nation Address, concerns are mounting that the ongoing crisis may overshadow the President’s address and hinder efforts to implement his administration’s priorities.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the House remains divided, with the Majority Bloc asserting control and the Pro-Koffa group maintaining their opposition. Rev. Langford’s subtle rebuff of Koon’s claim adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile political landscape.
