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Speaker Koffa Maintains Constitutionality, Until…

By Grace Q. Bryant
The 55th Speaker of the House of Representatives, Fonati Koffa, has continued to challenge his agitating colleagues to secure the constitutionally mandated 49 signatures required for his removal; asserting that any alternative approach would be illegitimate.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, November 18, at the Capitol, Koffa acknowledged the ongoing legislative standoff but emphasized that the Constitution and House’s rules clearly outline the processes for electing and removing a speaker.
“Without the 49 signatures required to remove me, no other act you take is a legal act. The founders of the Constitution were clear: a supermajority is required to remove the Speaker, and that threshold is non-negotiable,” Koffa, who himself is a lawyer, reminded his colleagues.
He further clarified,” The Constitution mandates 37 votes to elect a speaker and 49 to remove one. Anything less is unconstitutional, and I will not bow to any so-called majority bloc.”
Koffa accused his opponents of attempting to destabilize the legislature through unconstitutional means, including holding unofficial meetings outside the Capitol and dismissed their actions as a distraction from the work of governance.
“I will not resign. If they reach 49 signatures, I’ll pack my office immediately. Until then, I urge my colleagues to stop wasting time and focus on the work we were elected to do for the Liberian people,” Koffa asserted.
The Speaker also addressed allegations leveled against him, expressing his willingness to face a public investigation. “I want any complain against me tried in public. Let the press and the people see the truth,” he emphasized.
He reiterated that he would recuse himself from presiding over proceedings if a proper complaint was filed but refused to step down without a constitutionally mandated process. “I will not step down for any unconstitutional process,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the standoff which is drawing international attention, prompted a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Speaker Hadja Memounatou Ibrahim who proposed a six-count resolution and that included a temporarily recusal of Koffa while an investigation is conducted under the supervision of the Deputy Speaker, among several others.
However, those claiming majority failed to reach consensus on the recommendations, leaving the matter unresolved.
Koffa accused his colleagues of undermining the ECOWAS efforts, noting that “The delegation left after their efforts were hindered by the inability of the majority to convene a quorum and present a unified position.”
The House of Representatives has been embroiled in a crisis since mid-October, with a faction calling for Koffa’s resignation.
Despite claiming to represent a majority, the bloc has reportedly failed to meet the constitutional threshold to initiate formal proceedings.
Meanwhile, Koffa announced operational upgrades within the Legislature specifically the House of Representatives, including the presentation of a 36-seater bus and three vehicles to various departments. He emphasized the need for lawmakers to prioritize governance over political in-house fighting.
“Some lawmakers are meeting in hotel rooms, claiming to conduct legislative business. That has no standing under the Constitution or the rules of the House. Without the Speaker, you do not have a legitimate plenary session,” he emphasized.

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