Embattled House Speaker Accuses Executive Branch Of Fueling ”Tyranny” By: Julius Konton

Embattled House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has expressed serious disappointment in the Executive Branch of Government in the wake of the crisis at the House of Representatives.  Speaking to reporters following the police versus lawmakers’ clash, Speaker Koffa claimed that the heavy presence of police officers at the grounds of the Capitol Building on Monday is a clear indication that the so- called absentees/ majority lawmakers are allegedly getting the comfort from the Executive  in what he described as treasonous plot. He told reporters that it is now clear allegedly that the police is a party to the crisis. “However, we are the people’s representatives, and we will not be afraid of the people,” Speaker Koffa noted. Justifying his statement further, he pointed out that it is only during the presence of in his words, the so- called absentees/ majority lawmakers that you will see heavy police presence on the grounds of the Capitol Building.

According to him, it is unfortunate and not the right thing to do for Liberia’s democracy. “We call on all sides to step back, obey the rule of law and the precepts of the Supreme Court, ” he reechoed. Speaker Koffa, at the same time, warned the Executive Branch of Government to refrain from complicating in his words ‘treasonous plot.’ He told reporters that he repeatedly registered to the Executive Branch that the rule of law must prevail. “If they are not clear,  they need to go back to ask the Supreme Court but what I suspect is that everyone is clear with the issue, ” he re-emphasized.  Cllr. Koffa stressed that there is a conscience effort to ignore the Supreme Court ruling and what is more disappointing is to see police officers allegedly taking side in the Saga by brutalizing lawmakers. He also claimed that the majority bloc party to the Saga continues to ignore the rule of law because they are allegedly enjoying the comfort of the Executive.  “All over the world, in some parliament, you will see lawmakers throwing chairs and fighting,  but do you see police presence there, do you see police throwing tear gas and using batons to brutalize lawmakers, but this too is Liberia, ” he dejectedly stated. According to him, one of his colleagues in person of Luther Collins got wounded and is now undergoing treatment for wounds sustained on his head. Making reference on his life issue, he confirmed that he received a threat on his life but at the moment, national security is investigating the matter. As the Saga goes from bad to worse with physical fighting, life threats, increasing  claims and counter claims among others, it appears that the crisis has just begun as it is circulating in the political corridors allegedly that members of the minority bloc are calling for a state of emergency.