Forty seven members of Liberia’s House of Representatives have voted to remove Speaker J. Fonati Koffa from his post. This decision comes after weeks of rumors and growing tensions within the House of Legislature. Many lawmakers had voiced their dissatisfaction with Koffa’s leadership style, citing concerns over how decisions were being made under his watch. These frustrations ultimately gained enough momentum to lead to today’s vote.
As outlined in Article 49 of Liberia’s Constitution, removing the Speaker requires the support of a two-thirds majority in the House. With 47 lawmakers voting in favor, the motion to remove Koffa has successfully passed. The focus now shifts to the upcoming Speakership election, which is set for next Thursday. The race is expected to be highly competitive, as several well-known lawmakers are said to be positioning themselves to fill the leadership vacancy.
Adding a layer of controversy to the situation, Gbarpolu County’s District #2 Representative Luther Collins has made a troubling allegation. Collins claims that each lawmaker received an initial sum of $15,000 to support the motion to remove Koffa, with the promise of further payments once the process is completed. This accusation has raised eyebrows and will likely fuel more debate as the House prepares for the next phase of its leadership transition.
Cc: Inside Liberia
Discover more from Geez Liberia
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.