Africa-Press – Liberia. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Thomas P. Fallah, has expressed confidence in the leadership ability of Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, urging his colleagues to exercise patience as the Speaker continues to grow into the role.
According to Deputy Speaker Fallah, Speaker Koon possesses the capacity to effectively lead the House in conducting the business of the Liberian people, even though he is still adjusting to the demands of the speakership. Fallah noted that Speaker Koon had not previously occupied a key leadership position within the House before assuming the top post, making the role a new experience that naturally comes with challenges.
Speaking on the Super Morning Show on the state-owned Liberia Broadcasting System on Monday, January 5, 2025, Deputy Speaker Fallah reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with Speaker Koon to ensure that the House fulfills its constitutional responsibilities, while also safeguarding the interests of lawmakers and staff of the Legislature.
“When you give people a responsibility, you need to give them the time to deliver. He [Koon], though has been at the House for some times now, with all due respect, has not been into key leadership role before. It’s a learning curve for him. It’s a new ball game for him [Koon]. He will make some mistakes, but that’s why there are always need for consultations and he listens,” Fallah said.
Responding to rumors suggesting a possible plot to remove the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker acknowledged that there are existing frustrations and disagreements among members of the House but stressed that the situation has not escalated to the level of an attempted removal, as widely speculated.
He maintained that Speaker Koon continues to enjoy his personal confidence as well as the support of the overwhelming majority of lawmakers in the House of Representatives.
His comments followed recent developments in which a bloc of influential lawmakers, operating under the banner of the “55th Legislative Reformist Movement,” announced plans to boycott the opening of the next legislative session and the President’s State of the Nation Address. Members of the group also issued public threats to remove House leaders, heightening political tension within the Legislature.
The group is largely made up of members of the former Majority Bloc that supported the rise of Speaker Koon. A highly placed source within the bloc had hinted to the media about a possible removal plan. However, Deputy Speaker Fallah dismissed such claims, describing the move as a routine legislative tactic aimed at pressuring leadership to respond to grievances.
“There will always be issues and perceived plot. There was an issue over the payment of salary and benefit before Christmas, which leadership had promised. It was a serious issue and so they had to vent their anger. This is a regular legislative tactic, colleagues will have to gather to take some radical approach. But I can safely say that there is no plot on Capitol Building. The Majority Block is still in tight and I am speaking to you as an elder of that place,” he said.
On broader national political issues, the Lofa County Electoral District One Representative publicly declared his full support and loyalty to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, stating that he believes the President has genuine intentions for the development of Liberia and the welfare of its people.
Deputy Speaker Fallah’s declaration marks a significant political shift after more than 20 years of uninterrupted affiliation with the Congress for Democratic Change, Liberia’s former ruling party. His involvement with the CDC dates back to the 2005 Special Presidential and Legislative Elections.
“I am 100 percent supporting Joseph Boakai and his agenda, but not a unity partisan. All of my supporters will be directed this way. Our support is not temporary, it’s holistic and it’s going to be elastic to be stretched across the length and breadth of this country with our support base,” he stated.
In furtherance of his support for the President’s agenda, Deputy Speaker Fallah announced the formation of a new political movement known as the National Independent Movement for Boakai, or NIMBO. He made the announcement on the state broadcaster, explaining that the movement is intended to mobilize nationwide support for the President’s development programs.
“I will prove to Boakai that I am into it with everything. This is a movement for the support of the President’s agenda. We will go all around this country to promote the President’s development drive. If you support development, come join NIMBO. I am the vision bearer but I will not be the only person to drive it. If you support this government, but you are not a Unity Partisan, come and join NIMBO,” Fallah said, adding that the movement will establish chapters and organizational structures in all counties.
“We will galvanize physical and financial support for the President’s success. I am not going anywhere anymore. Even if he’s not running again, anyone he points at, I will support that person for the presidency,” he added.
Reflecting on his expulsion from the Congress for Democratic Change during the House leadership impasse, Deputy Speaker Fallah described the decision as an emotional reaction rather than a thoughtful and responsible action by the party’s leadership.
He insisted that there was no justification for his expulsion and maintained that he never violated the CDC’s constitution or bylaws, contrary to the claims made by the party.
“They said I violated the bylaws and constitution without providing the provision that I disrespected. I am relieved that I can now take decision independently. My expulsion was a blessing in disguise. I will always respect former President Weah, he’s a good guy and he brought me to prominence. My focus is now to support President Boakai to carry out his agenda. I will play my role to help Joseph Boakai, that’s my side and I am very clear with that,” he said.
Deputy Speaker Fallah also asserted that the CDC is currently grappling with a leadership deficit, arguing that the party is no longer as strong as it once was. “The CDC is not like before and won’t be strong like before as it used to. For instance, the CDC technically won in Foya because of me. The CDC is now very weak since I went the other way. Foya is now like the entire Lofa; it’s a one-party county as Liberia will soon be. Let me make this clear to people who say I am ungrateful, I also played my role with the CDC. I went into the trenches; I campaigned for the CDC. The CDC and I helped each other, I not ungrateful,” he said.
Speaking about developments in Lofa County since the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, the lawmaker said the county has experienced noticeable improvements, particularly in terms of peace, unity, and development.
He noted that while the elections created deep divisions and emotional wounds, concerted efforts have been made to reconcile communities and foster unity among residents.
“The elections brought a lot of hurt at all levels, but efforts have been made to reunite the people. Our message is reconciliation and that has been our pillar one. Agriculture and infrastructure are other areas of concentration, but peace and unity is our first priority,” he said.
“Reconciliation wasn’t an easy thing. We started the process from Monrovia and the President led that process since 2024. It was something that couldn’t be easily accepted; however, we are there. We have chapped a new course. The discussion held among ourselves was to unite and is on course. People who couldn’t see eye to eye are now friends,” Fallah added.
Turning to legislative matters, Deputy Speaker Fallah referenced the passage of the US$1.2 billion national budget by the House of Representatives on the final day of the second session of the third quarter of the 55th Legislature. The budget was later concurred with by the Liberian Senate, though it has generated mixed public reactions.
Despite the criticism, Deputy Speaker Fallah expressed optimism that the budget would positively impact the lives of Liberians if the Executive Branch ensures effective implementation. He also assured the public that the Legislature will exercise its oversight responsibilities to guarantee that the budget addresses key infrastructure gaps and pressing national challenges.
As the Legislature prepares to reconvene next Monday, Fallah called on lawmakers to return with renewed commitment and a focus on national development.
“We need to forgo party’s interest and support the national development agenda because it’s what we all share in common,” he said.
Among other national achievements, Deputy Speaker Fallah described Liberia’s election to a nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council as a source of pride for the country, adding that the milestone is one of the reasons Liberians should have confidence in the leadership of President Boakai.
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