Dr. Pailey said if the “majority bloc” feels aggrieved by the Speaker’s alleged infractions, they should use their powers of persuasion to oust him with a two-thirds majority of 49.
MONROVIA — The orator of this year’s Independence Day, Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey, has slammed lawmakers pushing the removal of House Speaker Fonati Koffa as “dishonorable and narcissists” who are pushing their personal egos under the guise of “fighting for the country’s interest”.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
A coalition of anti-Koffa lawmakers, led by Representatives Samuel G. Kogar of Nimba County District #5 as Chair, are demanding the immediate resignation of Speaker Koffa. The lawmakers accused Speaker Koffa of gross corruption and financial mismanagement, alleging he misappropriated millions of dollars during his tenure as Deputy Speaker and now as Speaker.
Last week Tuesday, Speaker Koffa’s grip on the House of Representatives slipped further when he failed to secure a quorum for the day’s legislative session. The Speaker had only 29 of the 73 elected representatives present. Unable to meet the constitutional requirement of 37 members, Speaker Koffa was forced to adjourn the session, signaling a significant loss of control in the chamber.
In a Facebook post Monday, Dr. Pailey said if the “majority bloc” feels aggrieved by the Speaker’s alleged infractions, they should use their powers of persuasion to oust him with a two-thirds majority of 49, rather than having separate sessions, who she said is a blatant violation of the Constitution.
“When I called (some) members of the Liberian Legislature ‘lawbreakers’ in my July 26 Oration, I was speaking in general terms. I now know that I was speaking specifically about you,” she said.
Dr. Pailey called on Liberians to use their constitutionally-mandated powers to remove lawmakers accused of receiving bribes to oust the Speaker in 2029.
“We elected you to represent us well, make good laws (not break them) and provide oversight of the executive and judiciary. Instead, you have hijacked the legislative process and forsaken your own House Rules and Procedures,” she said.
“I want the Liberian electorate to remember you when they vote in five years, so I have listed below your names, counties, districts and parties. I hope constituents bombard you with phone calls, text messages and emails expressing their anger and frustration. I hope they demand your salaries, allowances and other benefits be withheld for dereliction of duty.”
“Nowhere does it say you have authority to hold alternate sessions in the joint chambers, regardless of implicit judicial approval.”
Dr. Pailey said the decision of the “majority bloc” to hold separate sessions contravene the oath they took to “support, uphold, protect and defend the Constitution and Laws of the Republic of Liberia”. I urge you to stop the shenanigans, put your House in order and get back to work!
