MONROVIA – Speaker of the House of Representatives Richard Nagbe Koon has officially accepted the public apology of Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah, urging lawmakers to put aside personal disagreements and refocus their attention on addressing Liberia’s pressing national challenges.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Speaker Koon said he accepted Fallah’s apology “in good faith,” emphasizing that democratic institutions are strengthened not by the absence of disagreements but by the ability of leaders to resolve differences with humility, mutual respect, and commitment to the institution they serve.
“I accept his apology in good faith,” Koon declared, adding that disagreements are inevitable within every democratic legislature but should never overshadow the House’s constitutional responsibility to serve the Liberian people.
The Speaker stressed that his leadership has never been driven by personal disputes but by a determination to restore public confidence in the House of Representatives through greater transparency, accountability, and a renewed focus on legislative service.
“My focus has never been on personalities,” Koon stated. “It has always been on strengthening and restoring public confidence in the House of Representatives, promoting transparency, improving accountability, and ensuring that the people’s business remains our highest priority.”
Koon also sought to dispel any perception of lingering tension between himself and the Deputy Speaker, stating that he harbors no personal resentment toward Fallah or any other member of the House.
Instead, he reaffirmed his willingness to work with every legislator, regardless of political or personal differences, arguing that Liberians expect cooperation rather than confrontation from their elected leaders.
“The Liberian people expect collaboration, not conflict, and solutions, not distractions,” the Speaker said, calling on lawmakers to remain united in confronting the country’s economic, governance, and development challenges.
He further urged members of the House to remain focused on their legislative responsibilities, warning that Liberia’s current circumstances require collective wisdom, unity, and dedicated public service rather than political division.
“Our nation faces significant challenges that demand our collective wisdom, energy, and unity. This is not the time for division; it is the time for service,” Koon emphasized.
Reflecting on the recent controversy, the Speaker described the episode as an opportunity to demonstrate mature leadership, saying true leadership is measured not only by how public officials respond to praise but also by how they conduct themselves during moments of criticism and adversity.
“In this regard, I have chosen reconciliation over resentment, institution over individual, and progress over politics,” he stated.
Koon’s response follows Deputy Speaker Fallah’s public apology after remarks he made during an appearance on SpoonTalk on Sunday, June 28, 2026, sparked criticism within the House.
During the interview, Fallah remarked that Speaker Koon “needs time to grow and learn,” arguing that Koon had not previously held a major leadership position in the Legislature before becoming Speaker. He also suggested that there were aspects of Koon’s attitude and leadership style that required improvement, while maintaining that the Speaker continued to enjoy the confidence of lawmakers and deserved the opportunity to serve.
The comments prompted Representative Jacob Debee of Grand Gedeh County Electoral District No. 3 to formally request a retraction and an investigation into Fallah’s remarks during a House sitting.
Responding to the controversy, Fallah issued a public apology, saying his comments had been made in good faith and without any intention to mislead, malign, or undermine the Speaker.
He formally retracted the statement and expressed sincere regret, noting that his friendship with Koon predates their current leadership positions in the House of Representatives.
“Speaker Koon and I share a longstanding personal relationship that predates our current roles in the Honorable House,” Fallah said. “I value that relationship deeply and have no intention of doing anything to jeopardize the mutual respect and camaraderie between us.”
With Speaker Koon now publicly accepting the apology, the exchange appears to have brought a swift end to a dispute that briefly threatened to deepen divisions within the leadership of the House of Representatives. The Speaker’s message signals an effort to move beyond the controversy and redirect lawmakers’ attention toward legislative priorities and the broader national interest.
