Embattled House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa has further hinted his less time in the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives.
On Thursday, May 1st, he wrote on his Facebook page: “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 concerns 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.”
This is not the embattled Speaker first time speaking in somewhat coded language as it relates to his hold on speakership as some of his colleagues in the House of Representatives vehemently oppose his leadership.
Following the ruling on the Bill of Information filed by him to the Supreme Court, he hinted his resignation from the post as Speaker.
The Supreme Court of Liberia on Wednesday, April 23rd, ruled quashing the election of Representative Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker of the House. At the moment, Rep. Koon, who has been recognized by the Executive Branch and the Liberian Senate, carries himself as the Speaker of the House. In the Court’s ruling on Wednesday, it among also things declared all the legislative actions that have been undertaken by Rep. Koon and his so-called “majority bloc” ‘unconstitutional’.
The decision, handed down Wednesday, happened as a result of a legal challenge that stems from a Bill of Information filed by the embattled Speaker, questioning the constitutionality of Koon’s ascension to the Speakership of the House. Koffa accused the controversial House Speaker, Koon, and members of the House who support him, that they willingly violated the Supreme Court’s ruling of December 6, 2024.
Following the Court’s ruling on Wednesday, in which it upheld that Koffa still remains the Speaker of the House despite him being declared removed by majority members of the House of Representatives, Cllr. Koffa told the nation in a social media video that he will reach out to Deputy House Speaker Thomas Fallah and Rep. Richard Koon so that reconciliation can begin.
“I will reach out to Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and Honorable Richard Koon so that we establish a joint reconciliation and transitional committee. I am not unmindful that reconciliation and progress will require that I make the ultimate sacrifice and I am not unwilling to pay that price,” Speaker Koffa, who is head of the 55th Legislature, said.
