The unending speakership crisis at the 55th House of Representatives seems to be a ‘spider game’ being played amongst lawmakers, with some surfacing on both opposing parties securing space for inclusion to become candidates to run, should the dust settle and fresh election is called for.
From the onset of the crisis in 2024, a number of lawmakers have been parading the corridors of both Majority and Minority Blocs, some playing the spider game behind the scene while pretending that they are on one side of the impasse. The first lawmaker whose role was quick to be noticed is Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah. He was accused of taking side with the Majority Bloc, but pretending to be on the side of embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, both of whom have come from the Coalition for Democratic Change until he (Fallah) was expelled for allegedly betraying the former governing CDC during the ongoing speakership crisis. Currently, the most noticeable lawmaker who seems to be desperate to run for the speakership is said to be Nimba County Electoral District Seven Representative, Musa Hassan Bility. Critics of Representative Bility have observed that from the emergence of the crisis, he has constantly been crisscrossing under disguise that he is peace broker between both parties. “When the Majority Bloc went to the RLJ Resort in pursuit of Speaker Koffa’s removal, Representative Bility visited the camp as a mediator, but the game has been that he should be considered candidate when fresh election is called for,” one critic has claimed. “ Bility visited VP Koung farm on the Gbarnga- Ganta Highway and met the Vice President seeking his support to run for the speakership but the Vice President bluntly said he can’t support him,” a citizen of Nimba who also visited the VP farm at the time told the In Profile Daily over the weekend in Paynesville. Though on substantiated, Representative Bility was suspected of leaving his CMC candidate Mark Gblinwon in limbo in the recent Nimba County senatorial by-election for the so purpose of striking a deal with VP Koung for the very speakership. “The most recent role of Bility’s so-called mediation was when he appeared on Freedom FM talk-show disclosing Speaker Koffa’s resignation roadmap. Following that talk-show, the reported planned resignation of Koffa was circulated on social media and other outlets,” another critic of Bility has indicated. This latest information compelled embattled Speaker Koffa to provide clarity and his ongoing consultations with stakeholders on the leadership saga at the House of Representatives; especially following the recent Supreme Court’s ruling on his Bill of Information related to the very crisis. Below are the Bility-related revelation on the planned resignation of Koffa and the subsequent clarity from the embattled Speaker. Bility-related revelation In what appears to be a significant shift in the leadership impasse at the House of Representatives amidst the Supreme Court Wednesday, 23, 2025 ruling, Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and his Minority Bloc have reached a final decision to step down from the speakership of the 55th Legislature.
The decision marks a major turning point in the current political crisis and is said to have been made in the spirit of upholding the rule of law and ensuring stability in the House of Representatives.
K-News said sources within the Legislature have confirmed that Speaker Koffa formally submitted the proposal attached to his resignation letter to former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Accordingly, former President Sirleaf, a highly respected stateswoman with no political ambitions and current engagements with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), was selected to receive the documents as a neutral and senior national figure.
Speaker Koffa’s resignation proposal outlines that he will receive all accumulated salaries and benefits due to him during his time in office.
In a parallel development, it was also reportedly agreed that Minority Bloc lawmakers who were suspended by the Majority Bloc have begun receiving their salaries beginning May 1, 2025.
Madam Sirleaf is expected to forward Speaker Koffa’s resignation letter to the Chief Clerk of the House before the Lower House resumes regular legislative business upon its return on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
The Chief Clerk, Mildred Sayon, is then expected to formally place Speaker Koffa’s resignation letter on the House’s agenda during the resumption session.
Once the resignation is acknowledged, a vacancy will officially be declared in the Office of the Speaker, and in accordance with the House’s Standing Rules and Orders, Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah will temporarily lead the body and facilitate an election for a new Speaker within a 60-day period.
This development is expected to impact the legislative landscape and may signal a new direction in the ongoing quest for political harmony and institutional integrity within the House of Representatives of Liberia’s 55th Legislature.
Speaker Koffa, in a closely fought election for the leadership of the 55th National Legislature, emerged victorious, defeating his contender Richard from the Unity Party.
The then election, marked by strong competition, witnessed Koffa, a lawyer and deputy speaker of the 54th National Legislature, securing the coveted position after being projected by the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
Koffa’s victory did not only signify a shift in leadership within the legislature but also reflected the dynamics of Liberia’s political landscape.
The contest saw Koffa, known for his legal expertise and previous role as Deputy Speaker, pitted against a contender from the incoming ruling party, the Unity Party.
One of the factors that contributed to Koffa’s success was his widespread popular appeal, stemming from his ability to forge relationships and his compelling platform for the speakership.
Throughout the campaign, Koffa committed to vital reforms, with a focus on restructuring legislative committees and moving away from partisan interests in appointments.
“Koffa cuts across,” said one lawmaker from the Unity Partisan. “He’s a CDCian, but we don’t see him this way. We see him as a progressive who is willing to compromise and work with everyone to get the job done.”
The Liberian legislature has long grappled with issues of corruption and inefficiency, much of which has been attributed to the quality of its legislative committees.
Koffa made known his commitment to tackling this challenge head-on by appointing committee members based on expertise rather than purely partisan considerations. This approach aims to enhance the effectiveness and transparency of legislative processes.
During the campaign for speakership, Koffa also outlined plans to digitize the voting systems within the legislature. Currently lacking a website to inform citizens about lawmakers’ activities and voting history, the Liberian legislature was poised to undergo a technological transformation under Koffa’s leadership.
Background of the Dispute
The political impasse began in late 2024, when the so-called Majority Bloc, led by Rep. Koon, launched an initiative to remove Speaker Koffa, citing a loss of confidence in his leadership. The effort quickly drew legal scrutiny after the Bloc began holding parallel sessions without meeting the quorum or procedural requirements outlined in the Liberian Constitution.
In December 2024, the Supreme Court issued an initial ruling declaring those actions unconstitutional. Despite that decision, the Bloc continued to operate outside constitutional bounds, prompting Speaker Koffa’s legal team to file a bill of information earlier this year, seeking enforcement of the court’s ruling.
March 26 Hearing: Court’s Clear Warning
During a March 26, 2025, hearing on the Bill of Information, Chief Justice Sie-A-NyeneGyapayYuoh sharply criticized the Majority Bloc for ignoring the Court’s ruling, warning of the dangerous precedent their actions could set.
“Where he, Speaker Koffa, is still sitting, and you open a parallel session, it can create chaos,” Yuoh cautioned, emphasizing the constitutional crisis such actions could provoke.
Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay and Yussif D. Kaba questioned the legal legitimacy of the Bloc’s continued defiance, while Justice Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie warned that undermining constitutional provisions could destabilize the country’s democratic foundation.
Final Ruling: Actions Null and Void
In the Wednesday, 23, 2025 ruling, the Supreme Court declared all legislative actions taken by the Majority Bloc in the absence of Speaker Koffa null and void. The Court reaffirmed that the Speaker’s removal must strictly adhere to Article 33 of the Constitution, which requires the Speaker’s presence and a legitimate quorum to convene any House session.
Chief Justice Yuoh reiterated the primacy of constitutional order, stating, “There are rules to follow. Failure to do so erodes the very foundation of our democratic institutions.”
Winifred Sackor/knewsonline.com
Embattled Speaker Koffa’s clarity
“I have become aware of statements circulating on social and other media platforms that make insinuations regarding my position as Speaker of the House of Representatives. While I am deeply touched by the outpouring of concern for my personal well-being and the integrity of the office I hold, I wish to address these matters with clarity and transparency.
I have always maintained that the laws of our nation must serve as the ultimate foundation for resolving disputes, including the current impasse within the legislature. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling has definitively resolved this matter, and I fully respect and uphold its decision.
In light of this, I am actively engaging in consultations with stakeholders across the country, including my colleagues from all sides in the legislature, regarding my transition from the position and to determine the appropriate path forward. I commit to keeping the public informed as these discussions progress. In the meantime, I urge all citizens to refrain from amplifying unsubstantiated claims that risk fostering unnecessary confusion or division.”
Koffa, Koon, other lawmakers
Comments are closed.