It appears that fingers are beginning to point at the Executive Branch for being the mastermind of a plot to remove House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa from his position, but the Executive Mansion has said that President Joseph N. Boakai’s hands are clean and has no link to the ongoing crisis at the House of Representatives.
It can be recalled that heated tension engulfed the House of Representatives on Thursday with lawmakers at each other’s throats over the removal of Speaker Koffa.Sources told this paper that prominent current and former members of the House, including Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah, Senator Prince Moye and Vice President Jeremiah Koung are against an audit initiated by the Speaker, all of whom served as either Chairman or Co-Chairman of the House’s Ways and Finance Committee and feared that the audit could damage their 2029 election prospects, according to the report.
Several lawmakers, many of whom are members of the main opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) were seen on live videos throwing invectives at each other; their securities and supporters too were seen engaging into fist fights in defense of their respective bosses in the Joint Chambers of the House of Representatives.
Group of lawmakers headed by Representative Frank Saah Foko and Marvin Cole prevented the holding of session presided over by Deputy House Speaker Thomas Fallah, alleging that Fallah had planned to clandestinely remove Koffa from his position.
Representative Foko and Cole said there is evidence in their possession that Deputy Speaker Fallah is dishing out money to lawmakers for the removal of Speaker Koffa. The money is said to be in the tone of US$25,000 for each lawmaker’s signature in favor of the removal.
Both Speaker Koffa and Deputy Speaker Fallah are ranking members of the main opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) headed by former Liberian President, George M. Weah. However, Mr. Weah has since issued a statement over the situation pointing fingers at the Unity Party government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
But addressing a press briefing on Friday, October 18, 2024, Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana said the Liberian leader is more concerned about the needs and agenda of the people contrary to the false and misleading allegations against him.
“The President respects and enjoys the working relationship and confidence of the Speaker and in fact, the Speaker and the President has some close relationship; as such, he has no intention of interfering in the activities and working of the House,” she said. Madam Fofana explained that the allegations are politically motivated and intended to distract the real attention and working of President Boakai and his administration, the President remains committed to delivering on his promises to the Liberian people.
“The same Boakai you elected in 2023 is the same Boakai today, and he is willing to continue to work to help transform the lives of the Liberian people,” she narrated. The Presidential Press Secretary said the “ARREST” Agenda is well on course and the president is working with other development partners and countries in the interest of the Liberian people.
She said President Boakai is also concerned about the Code of Conduct violation by some of his officials, and if need be, he will take the necessary action. Fofana said if the president deems it necessary, he will take action against some cabinet officials in order to improve the performance of his government which is highly expected of the ordinary people.
“The President is also concerned about the increment in Civil Servant Salaries but that can only be rolled out once ongoing reform processes by the Civil Service Agency are done and officially finalized,” she noted.
However, political pundits have suggested that there was no way possible President Boakai could distance himself from the plan against the Speaker, claiming the president was quite aware of the plan; thus he asked the speaker to join him in Italy as it would be easier to execute the plan in the absence of the Speaker.
