Liberian Lawmakers’ Attempt to Remove Speaker Koffa Fails Amid Budget Alteration Controversy
A recent plot by a group of ‘rebel’ lawmakers in Liberia, allegedly backed by the Executive, to remove Speaker of the House Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa has been foiled due to a lack of quorum. According to reports, the lawmakers, who include Representatives Ivan K. Jones, Clarence G. Gahr, Foday Fahnbulleh, and Dorwohn T. Galeekia, among others, had planned to execute the removal during an overnight meeting. However, the plan failed to materialize as only a handful of the required 37 representatives out of 73 were present.
The breakaway lawmakers, reportedly less than 20 in number, are said to be discontent with Speaker Koffa’s recent stance on exposing budget alterations, a practice that has been prevalent among influential lawmakers over the past decade. The Legislative cartel, comprising notable names, is allegedly conspiring with some members of the Liberian Senate to remove Speaker Koffa due to the blockade put in place by the current team on the Ways, Means and Finance Committee, which is preventing them from acquiring wealth through dubious means.
A source close to the matter revealed that the Legislative Cartel had planned to remove Speaker Koffa at the resumption of the regular session on October 15, 2024, but was thwarted due to the lack of quorum. “They called us last night, saying Speaker Koffa needs to be removed because he opened up the process of budget formulation by involving a revenue subcommittee and expenditure subcommittee, including a budget resource expert,” the source disclosed. “This paved the way for all 30 persons to review the national budget before passage.”
Another source disclosed that Speaker Koffa’s presence is undermining the acquisition of resources for many lawmakers who are eyeing the 2029 elections. “The Executive did not like the US$4.5 million reserved for yellow machines in the national budget, which was removed by the House Ways, Means and Finance committee,” the source stated. “The independence of the House is at stake, including a critical demand to ensure the expulsion of Representative Yekeh Kolubah from the House of Representatives due to his constant abuse of President Joseph Boakai.”
This is not the first attempt to remove Speaker Koffa, as a similar plot failed in the first quarter of 2024, allegedly with the aid of Deputy Speaker Thomos Fallah. The failed removal came barely two months after a heavily contested scene during the election of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. As the controversy surrounding budget alterations and the attempted removal of Speaker Koffa continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved.
