Africa-Press – Liberia. Senator Abe Darius Dillon has criticized the administration of President Joseph Boakai for what he describes as an almost yearlong effort to remove former House Speaker Fonati Koffa.
According to the Monsterrado County Senator, the government’s push to unseat Koffa began barely half a year after taking office and continued with such intensity that it threatened the stability of the entire governing structure.
The senator explained that at the time the campaign against Koffa reportedly began, the new administration was still settling into office and filling key positions across ministries and agencies. Despite this transitional phase, Senator Dillon said the Executive Branch became preoccupied with removing the ex-Speaker, even though Koffa was one of the most supportive legislative leaders when it came to passing administration-backed bills.
Senator Dillon emphasized that Koffa was often the first to help the government advance its agenda through the House of Representatives, making the attempt to remove him both puzzling and concerning.
In recounting the events, Senator Dillon offered an assessment of what he believes the government prioritized. He recalled that within six months of assuming leadership, the administration shifted its attention toward controlling the Speakership, a seat he described as harmless and nonthreatening to national governance.
Senator Dillon explained that although Koffa worked closely with the government on several legislative issues, the Executive maintained its determination to unseat him. According to Senator Dillon, this aggressive pursuit pushed the government to the brink. He said the internal pressure, political tension and intense lobbying surrounding the move almost caused the government to break itself apart.
The senator’s comments align with reports circulating in political and social circles which allege that the government spent months lobbying lawmakers and pressuring potential swing votes. Some of these reports further claim that lawmakers were offered incentives to support the Speaker’s removal, though these claims remain unverified.
Senator Dillon referred to the prolonged battle as a distraction from real national priorities and suggested it consumed time and resources that could have been directed toward improving governance.
The struggle over the Speakership did not occur in isolation. Political analysts point out that alliances in the Legislature shifted dramatically during this period. Several lawmakers who originally supported Koffa reportedly withdrew their backing as tensions heightened, creating an opening for the leadership change.
At the same time, internal divisions within the opposition Congress for Democratic Change deepened, weakening Koffa’s base of support and making him more vulnerable to the political storm surrounding him.
The volatile atmosphere was further intensified by accusations that a small group of opposition lawmakers may have played a role in the burning of the Capitol Building, the historic seat of the Legislature.
The fire damaged several sections of the building and quickly sparked political controversy. Opposition lawmakers dismissed the allegations as political smears, while members of the ruling side insisted the incident warranted serious investigation. Although no investigation has conclusively proven these claims, the accusations contributed to an already charged environment and heightened suspicion and hostility among lawmakers.
Senator Dillon said these overlapping controversies exposed a deeper problem within the administration, which he believes placed political dominance above national stability. He warned that the drive to remove Koffa at any cost represented a dangerous shift in focus that nearly fractured the government’s foundation.
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