Members of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, overwhelmingly reaffirmed their November 21, 2024, decision by electing Montserrado County District #11 Representatives Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker of the 55th Legislature, this time in open plenary.
The reaffirmation and election came in the wake of the official resignation of embattled Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, a lawyer by profession, who accordingly, resigned the position to end the House’s unending impasse, which nearly lasted for seven months.
Koffa confirmed his resignation from the speakership position on Monday, May 12, 2025, at a press conference in Monrovia.
His resignation came following months of leadership dispute within the HoR after majority members insisted that they had lost confidence in him. The crisis began on October 17, 2024, when a group of lawmakers initiated moves that removed Koffa as speaker over several allegations.
The situation escalated on November 21, 2024, with the controversial election of Richard Nagbe Koon as a speaker resulting to Koffa’s supporters rejecting the outcome, labeling the majority members decision as “unconditional.”
As the months long of controversy dragged on, the majority members took a decision, which was acknowledged by plenary as being in the best interest of the country. The lawmakers then overwhelmingly voted Rep. Koon as the next speaker.
Consequently, the House announced on Monday, May 12, 2025, that a fresh election would be conducted the following day in a free, fair, and transparent democratic process that was held in plenary. The exercise resulted in the election of Koon, who secured 43 votes, defeating his rival Musa Hassan Bility of Nimba County Electoral District #7, who obtained 26 votes.
Following the results, Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah, immediately sworn Koon into office the presence of fellow lawmakers.
In his acceptance remarks, Speaker Koon expressed deep appreciation to his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him. He promised to prioritize unity within the House, fostering stronger legislative collaboration and maintaining a people-centered approach to governance.
“As we resume the 2nd Quarter of the 2nd Sessions, our focus must be on delivering tangible results for the Liberian people,” Speaker Koon stated.