Majority Bloc Puts Speaker Koffa Under Pressure. Orders Him to Vacate Office Amid Legislative Crisis

As Liberia’s 55th Legislature prepares to begin its second session on January 13, the political landscape is becoming increasingly tense. The self-declared Majority Bloc is intensifying its efforts to oust Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa from office, despite a recent ruling from the Supreme Court that could complicate their push. The Majority Bloc, which has named Representative Richard Nagbe Koon as their preferred Speaker, is now demanding that Koffa vacate his office to make room for their choice.

In an exclusive revelation, Geez Liberia has obtained text message exchanges between Representative Kolleh, who serves as the Majority Bloc’s self-appointed Chairman on Rules, Order, and Administration, and Speaker Koffa. In the messages, Rep. Kolleh presses Koffa to hand over the key to the Speaker’s office, warning that failure to comply could lead to “future embarrassment.” The text messages paint a picture of a tense power struggle within the Legislature:

Kolleh’s Message: “Good morning Hon. Koffa. Merry Christmas to you and the family. Hope this SMS meets you in good health. Please be reminded once again that you haven’t turned over the key to the Speaker’s office. Said key was expected a week before you filed before the Supreme Court. You haven’t since the ruling of said court. We wrote you a week ago asking for the key; again, you haven’t turned it over. Please comply with the decision of plenary ASAP to avoid future embarrassment. We have to prepare the office at the comfort of Hon. Richard N. Koon, Speaker of the 55th Legislature.”

Koffa’s Response: “The Supreme Court has made no ruling on my illegal removal, Sir. Merry Christmas.”

A Deepening Leadership Crisis

The leadership dispute in the Legislature has been brewing for months. Despite the Supreme Court ruling that actions inconsistent with the Constitution are void, the Majority Bloc, which has the backing of several Senators and members of the Executive branch, continues to pressure Speaker Koffa to step down. Their argument is that the declaration of Rep. Koon as Speaker reflects the will of the plenary, the full membership of the House.

To solidify their position, the Majority Bloc has taken several aggressive actions, including:

• Directing the Central Bank of Liberia and commercial banks to remove Speaker Koffa’s signature from official records.
• Declaring the Speaker’s position vacant during a session presided over by Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah, and electing Rep. Koon as their Speaker.
• Suspending seven lawmakers who are loyal to Speaker Koffa.

However, Koffa has firmly resisted these moves, arguing that they are unconstitutional and not in line with Liberia’s legal framework.

The Tensions Reach a Boiling Point

The leadership battle began in earnest back in October 2024, when the Majority Bloc started holding sessions in the joint chambers of the Capitol Building, abandoning the main chamber to undermine Koffa’s legitimacy. They accused him of corruption and conflicts of interest—charges he has consistently denied. The situation worsened when the joint chambers were damaged by a fire, which only deepened the divide between the two factions in the House.

The Looming Threat to the President’s Annual Address

The political standoff is not just a matter of internal legislative conflict. It also threatens to disrupt President Joseph Boakai’s upcoming State of the Nation Address, which is scheduled for the fourth working Monday of January. The Constitution mandates that the Speaker of the House preside over the joint session of the Legislature during this critical event. With two factions now claiming legitimacy over the Speaker’s office, there are growing concerns about the potential for disruptions and chaos during what is supposed to be a key moment in the nation’s political calendar.

Looking Ahead: Will the Crisis Deepen?

As the 55th Legislature gears up for its second session, all eyes will be on the Capitol Building. Will the leadership crisis be resolved, or will it continue to destabilize the functioning of Liberia’s government? The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the future of Speaker Koffa’s tenure—and potentially, the future of Liberia’s political stability.