The Speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Fonati Koffa, has reiterated his vow against resignation from the speakership of the 55th Legislature, adding that resignation is his least option.
Speaking Monday to the staffers of the House of Representatives at the Capitol Building office, Speaker Koffa said the so-called majority bloc of Representatives are conducting session illegally, stating that though he doesn’t have the numbers to conduct business, he will continue to follow law that governs the country. According to him, he will not resign except the so-called majority bloc has the 49 members of the House of Representatives to remove him as required by the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia. He stressed that they should come to work appertaining to the legislative rule of the House of Representatives and the Constitution, stating that only the Speaker can preside over plenary for the August Body to make decision and not the Deputy Speaker when the Speaker is present. Speaker Koffa maintained that nothing will be done at the House of Representatives again without following the rules of legislative function which is backed by the Liberian’s Constitution, adding that the attitudes of certain lawmakers to removing speakers without any genuine reason will stop with him as he will continue to follow the law and constitution of country. He pointed out that the ECOWAS’ Delegation held talks with the majority bloc delegation which came out with six count of complaints but later revealed that some members of the majority bloc refused to accept that which has been accepted by him. He narrated that as a result of those members’ refusal, the ECOWAS’ Delegation left Liberia Saturday without any conclusion but however, negotiation continues with him and the majority bloc to resolve the situation on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, Speaker Koffa also disclosed that one bus and three cars have been made available for the staffers of the House of Representatives.