CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has downplayed speculations that the ruling Unity Party is orchestrating a plan to remove him as Speaker of the House and replace him with their favored candidate Richard Nagbe Koon (District #11, Montserrado County).
Following a meeting in Tubmanburg, Bomi, on Saturday, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and top officials of his cabinet met with members of the Unity Party Alliance in the House of Representatives. Speculations have arisen that the gathering was intended to strategize on gaining majority support to remove the Speaker.
But responding to FrontPage Africa’s inquiry, Speaker Koffa stated that while he cannot speak on the Tubmanburg meeting, he continues to enjoy the confidence of the majority of his colleagues.
“In order for this government to work, the coordinate branches of government should work together. We all must work for a Liberian agenda, not a partisan one,” said Speaker Koffa. “I have extended and demonstrated to the executive branch that we are prepared to work on the Liberian agenda which is the ARREST agenda the people voted for. Beyond that I cannot characterize what occurred in Bomi. But I can assure you that I continue to enjoy the confidence of the majority of my colleagues.”
Speaker Koffa, a member of the opposition Unity Party, narrowly defeated the Unity Party-backed candidate Rep. Richard Nagbe Koon in the speakership election. Since his election, he has expressed a steadfast commitment to collaborate with the UP-led government to advance its legislative initiatives, such as approving the US$41 million special budget and advocating for a war and economic crimes court.
Despite Koffa’s commitment, there are unverified reports of the UP-led government financially inducing House members and covertly canvassing to attain the majority number to unseat the Speaker.
In response to these speculations, Speaker Koffa dismissed them and stated that he maintains cordial relationships with the office of the President.
“I don’t think there is any attempt by the executive to destabilize the House by tampering with the leadership. It would be too distracting for the Liberian Agenda. The leadership of the House continues to have unfettered and unrestricted access to the presidency.”
Representative Koon also denied orchestrating a plan to remove Speaker Koffa. He told FrontPage Africa that the meeting in Bomi aimed to rally support for the government’s ARREST Agenda to secure budgetary support. He clarified that the Unity Party is not currently considering challenging for the speakership position but is focused on engaging lawmakers, especially opposition members, for their budgetary support.
A release issued after the meeting stated that a resolution was adopted by representatives of the three parties, declaring that “the ARREST Agenda is best suited and in sync with the national development demands of our time.”
They further emphasized collaboration, consultation, and a sense of common purpose as the most reliable and effective means to achieve the ARREST Agenda.
To build support for the Agenda, the parties agreed to enlist colleagues in the Legislature and other segments of the population. Mrs. Cornelia Kruah-Togba, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of State, was selected as the Liaison for coordination and smooth communication among them.
Representative Richard N. Koon signed for members of the Rescue Legislative Caucus present, while Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Samuel A. Stevquoah signed for the Administration. Former Representative Ben Fofana, Unity Party Vice Chairman for Governmental Affairs & International Relations, signed for the Unity Party.
