Liberian House Speaker Defies Calls for Resignation, Citing Constitutional Requirements
In a bold move, Liberia’s House Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, has refused to bow to pressure from his opponents, stating that he will not resign or recuse himself from his position. According to Speaker Koffa, he can only be removed from office through a constitutional process, which requires a two-thirds majority vote of the House members, as stipulated in Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution.
This development comes after a tumultuous session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, where 35 lawmakers attended an anti-Koffa session in the Jont Chamber, while 30 lawmakers, including Speaker Koffa and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, gathered in the main chamber. The total number of lawmakers present was 42, with some members rescinding their earlier decision to attend the anti-Koffa session.
The House’s Plenary has since voted to compel all absent members to attend the next session on Thursday, October 24, citing the need for a quorum to conduct business. This decision was prompted by the low number of members present in the chamber, which failed to meet the required quorum.
Nimba County Electoral District #7 Representative, Musa Bility, made a motion quoting Article 33 of the Liberian Constitution of 1986, which states that a simple majority of each House shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Plenary has instructed the Chief Clerk, Madam Mildred Sayon, to take necessary actions to ensure that absent members join their colleagues in the upcoming session.
Speaker Koffa’s defiance has sparked concerns about the potential consequences of his actions. Reports suggest that if absent lawmakers refuse to attend the next session, a writ of mandamus may be sought to compel them to perform their duties. A writ of mandamus is a court order that requires a government official or public agency to fulfill their obligations. If the response to the writ is unsatisfactory, the matter may be taken to the Supreme Court, which has the authority to relieve lawmakers of their positions.
The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to working in the interest of the Liberian people and has urged all members to uphold their responsibilities diligently. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Speaker Koffa’s stance will impact the functioning of the House and the country as a whole.
