Africa-Press – Liberia. Subdues Koffa’s confidants, reconstitutes key committees
Nothing gives democracy relevance or legitimizes it in any given society than numbers, or put more plainly, numerical strength — and this is exactly what is now being manifested on Capitol Hill where the House of Representatives has been embroiled in a leadership crisis over a month now.
While the Speaker J. Fonati Koffa might have lost control of the House since the revolt against his leadership October 17 by a Majority Bloc, he has continue to maneuver to hold onto his position, thanks to the lack of a 2/3 from the aggrieved lawmakers…but this power, shielded by a constitution provision, too, seems to be slipping away gradually, if not faster as he loses grips.
This could not be more evident than on Tuesday, November 19 when the Majority Bloc, during a session in the joint chambers, suspended some of Speaker Koffa’s top confidantes and stripped them of influential and lucrative positions within the House’s leadership.
Breakaway lawmakers, who refuse to acknowledge Speaker Koffa’s authority, have appointed new leaders to key legislative committees, consolidating power within the bloc.
Presided over by Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, the members of the majority Bloc has restructured the Ways, Means, and Finance Committee, Rule, Order and Administration committee and Public Accounts and Audit.
Representative Mike Jurry, Maryland County District #1, has been named Acting Chair on Ways, Means, and Finance, taking over from Representative Dixon Seboe—whose Co-Chair, Ellen Wreh was also removed. Rep. Dorwohn T. Gleekia, Nimba County District #6, was appointed as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Revenue, and Rep. Michael Thomas, Montserrado County District #4, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Expenditure.
Representative James Kolleh of Bong County District #2 has been appointed Acting Chair on Rules, Order, and Administration, replacing Marvin Cole. Additionally, Representative Prince Koniah of Bong County District #1 is now Acting Co-Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts and Audit, succeeding Representative Clarence Gahr, who is playing a leading role within the ranks of the bloc.
Additionally, the bloc voted to eliminate the signatures of Seboe and Wreh from all House accounts at multiple banks. Deputy Speaker Fallah instructed the clerical staff to inform the Central Bank of Liberia and other commercial banks about this directive.
These moves by the Majority Bloc come in the wake of the failure of a high-powered delegation from the Economic Community of the West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament to broker peace and settle the impasse.
In what many view as an attempt to confer legitimacy to the majority Bloc, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, through the Finance Ministry, on Monday November 18, presented the 2025 draft national budget to the group—snubbing Speaker Koffa who should have been the legitimate recipient.
Nevertheless, members voted to empower the newly reconstituted Ways, Means, and Finance Committee, along with the Public Accounts Committee, to collaborate with their Senate counterparts to review the budget and make recommendations to the plenary.
Previously totaling 48 but are now 45, members of the Majority Bloc have since caused an ongoing leadership crisis within the House by pushing for the removal of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa on allegations of corruption and conflict of interest. In contrast, the Speaker’s faction, consisting of 30 members, maintains that the Speaker should not be ousted without adhering to the proper legal procedures mandated by law.
At Tuesday’s session, three lawmakers, Representatives Edward P. Flomo, Abu Kamara, and Marvin Cole, from Montserrado and Bong County districts, who support Speaker Koffa, were also suspended by the majority Bloc for 30 days by the majority bloc. The decision, passed unanimously, entails salary and benefits forfeiture for the duration of the suspension and restricts the lawmakers from entering Capitol grounds during this period.
The three suspended lawmakers faced accusations from members of the Majority Bloc for violating House rules, alleged obstruction of sessions and physical altercations with colleagues.
Initially, investigations were initiated against six lawmakers, but a decision was made by the Majority Bloc to reduce the number to three lawmakers. Representative Saah Foko, Montserrado County District #9, Representative Alex Noah, and Representative Zinnah Norman (Gbarpolu County) were pardoned. Reports suggest that these lawmakers are now seeking to align with the Majority Bloc and have requested forgiveness—however, Rep. Norman has already crossed over.
Majority Bloc Reaches 45 Members
Deputy Speaker Fallah and his men are making these major decisions as the majority bloc further solidifies its authority in the House of Representatives. On Tuesday, Montserrado County District #17 Representative Bernard Blue Benson and Gbarpolu County District #1 Representative Zinnah Norman officially joined the bloc, increasing its total membership to 45.
The recent actions of the Majority Bloc suggest a deepening power struggle within the House of Representatives, with implications that the situation may be nearing a critical juncture.
The addition of Representatives, Benson and Norman, further strengthens the bloc’s ranks and inches them closer to the threshold needed to remove Speaker Koffa from his position.
Representative Norman clarified that his decision to defect was based on the desires of his constituents rather than monetary incentives.
“This decision wasn’t influenced by bribes; it was made in response to the wishes of my employers—the people I serve,” Norman stated.
There are suggestions that Representative Frank Saah Foko may also align himself with the Majority Bloc, potentially altering the power dynamics within the chamber.
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