Africa-Press – Liberia. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s decision to submit the draft national budget to the presiding officer through the chief clerk of the House of Representatives has sparked outrage in the Capitol, with the leadership of the House threatening to take legal actions against the executive.
On Monday, to the surprise of many, the Ministry of Information issued a press release that the President has submitted the draft Fiscal Year 2025 National Budget to the Liberian Legislature, totaling US$851.8 million to the Legislature through the office of the chief clerk.
According to a release, the draft budget comprises core revenue of US$833 million and Contingent Revenue of US$18.8 million. The ministry noted that the draft financial instrument was presented to the House of Representatives’ Presiding Officer via the Chief Clerk.
The Ministry of Information explained that the draft budget represents a 15.3% increase over the total appropriation of US$738.9 million in the 2024 Recast Budget. It includes allocations designed to address key priorities of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), debt servicing, and other governmental obligations.
President Boakai called on lawmakers to ensure the timely consideration and approval of the budget to enable effective implementation starting in January 2025. The submission aligns with Section 17.1 of the 2019 Amendment and Restatement of the Public Financial Management Act of 2009.
Submission Amid Leadership Crisis
Unlike the usual procedure, the submission of the draft budget is being overshadowed by the ongoing leadership crisis in the House of Representatives. Traditionally, the Ministry of Finance submits the budget physically to the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker in the Speaker’s absence, who then forwards it to the Chief Clerk for inclusion on the plenary agenda.
However, the House has been deeply divided, with one faction—led by Speaker J. Fonati Koffa—occupying the main chamber and another bloc, comprising a majority of lawmakers, convening in the joint chamber presided over by Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah.
The leadership standoff delayed the budget submission, which should have been made by October 31, per the Public Financial Management Law. In response to the delays, President Boakai had written the Chief Clerk, citing the crisis as the reason behind the delay and noted he was consulting legal counsel on the appropriate steps to ensure compliance with the law.
Who Received the Budget?
The Ministry of Information’s statement did not clarify which chamber received the draft budget, adding to the confusion. The Chief Clerk, who typically handles such submissions from the Speaker, is reportedly on sick leave. Prior to her absence, she and her deputy Comick Chea attended sessions in the main chamber presided over by Speaker Koffa. However, her deputy has since aligned with the majority bloc in the joint chamber.
In the Chief Clerk’s absence, her deputy may have received the budget. The Majority bloc had earlier stated that every communication to the chief clerk would be presented to them since they are actively conducting the business of the House. They argued that with the number 43, they meet quorum and are legitimately conducting sessions.
His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. earlier today, presented the Fiscal Year 2025 Draft National Budget to the National Legislature in the amount of US US$851.8 Million (comprising Core Revenue of US$833 Million and Contingent Revenue of US$18.8 Million) to the Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives through the Chief Clerk. President Boakai has urged the lawmakers to exert their best efforts towards ensuring timely consideration and approval of the budget to ensure effective and efficient execution of the budget beginning January 2025.
Daniel O. Sando, Acting Minister of Information
Responding to the President’s action, the leadership of the House of Representatives, backing Speaker Koffa, expressed disappointment over President Boakai’s decision to submit the 2025 Draft National Budget to the House of Representatives’ presiding off through the chief clerk and bypassing the traditional protocol of addressing it directly to the Speaker.
In a strongly worded statement issued Monday, the House leadership emphasized that the move undermines the authority of the Speaker’s office and the constitutional framework governing the House of Representatives.
“We note with disappointment that the president has chosen to deliver the budget to the presiding officer outside of the usual protocol of directly addressing the Speaker,” the leadership said. “Nevertheless, we take note that the budget is addressed to the Speaker and in keeping with article 49 of the constitution of Liberia, “The House of Representative shall elect once every six years a Speaker who shall be the presiding officer of that body…”
Controversial Submission Location
The leadership revealed that the budget was delivered to the Deputy Chief Clerk at the RLJ Resort, which is currently serving as the meeting site for a majority bloc of lawmakers who have distanced themselves from Speaker Koffa’s leadership.
“We must warn all parties not to further jeopardize our constitutional scheme by attempting to illegally act on the budget,” he cautioned, describing the Deputy Chief Clerk as a “renegade” for his role in receiving the draft budget.
That the budget was delivered to deputy chief clerk at RLJ, the official headquarters of the absentee lawmakers, we must warn all parties not to further jeopardize our constitutional scheme by attempting to illegally act on the budget. The renegade deputy chief clerk is hereby instructed to deliver the communication addressed to the presiding officer, to the Office of the Speaker. This submission as it stands violates the presentment clause of the PFM laws. We will see you in court.
Leadership of the House of Representative
The leadership further instructed the Deputy Chief Clerk to immediately deliver the communication, which the Executive said is addressed to the presiding officer, to the Speaker’s office for proper handling.
Alleged Violation of Public Financial Management Law
The pro-Koffa group accused the administration of violating the Presentment Clause of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Law by bypassing the Speaker’s office. “This submission, as it stands, violates the presentment clause of the PFM laws. We will see you in court,” they warned, signaling potential legal action.
Escalating Leadership Crisis
The dispute over the budget submission comes amid a deepening leadership crisis in the House of Representatives. The House remains divided, with one bloc—comprising the majority of lawmakers—meeting under the leadership of Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah in a separate chamber. Meanwhile, Speaker Koffa continues to meet with his loyalists in the main chamber, although he has not been able to meet quorum.
The constitutional and procedural disagreements have already delayed the timely submission of the national budget, which the Public Financial Management Law mandates be submitted by October 31.
Implications for Budget Approval
The pro-Koffa group’s criticism and the ongoing division in the House could further complicate the budget approval process, potentially delaying critical appropriations for the 2025 fiscal year.
Speaker Koffa Stands Firm
Amid mounting calls for his resignation, Speaker Koffa reaffirmed his stance on Monday, declaring that he would not succumb to pressure. Addressing legislative staff and the press at the Capitol on Monday, he labeled the majority bloc’s gathering as illegal and pledged to uphold the Constitution.
“We can face the Liberian people; our vision is clear. On this journey, we will stand on the side of the Liberian people and the rule of law,” Speaker Koffa said. “I don’t want to be here one day past 49 [signatures]. As soon as you get 49 signatures, I am out. But this nonsense, where a few groups of people, either induced or not, come to destabilize the House and its leadership for personal aggrandizement —that bus stops here.”
The Speaker highlighted the collapse of ECOWAS-led mediation efforts due to the refusal of the majority bloc to accept the six-count recommendations. The proposal had urged bloc members to return to the main chamber and formally present their grievances while Speaker Koffa recused himself to allow for an investigation.
He noted that Rep. Samuel Kogar (District #5, Nimba County), leader of the majority bloc, initially agreed to the ECOWAS recommendations. However, upon presenting them to his colleagues, they rejected the suggestion, particularly the condition requiring them to return to session and submit their complaints on the floor.
“Resignation is an option. It is a voluntary act of mine that I will never concede to the majority bloc. We will stand on the side of the law,” Speaker Koffa asserted.
The Speaker expressed gratitude to the Liberian people for their support, noting their trust in his commitment to uphold the rule of law.
“We are gratified that the majority of Liberians stand with us on the side of the law. I don’t know when this journey will end, but I’ve made it clear: I will not resign. Under my watch and gavel, the rule of law will prevail. We will stand with the Liberian people and the Constitution,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the Speaker, flanked by several members of the House, turned over three vehicles to the staffers including a commuter bus.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
