By Bill W. Cooper
The race for the Deputy Speaker post for the House of Representatives is said to be gaining more momentum with several lawmakers’ names continuing to surface as the time draws closer.This vacancy at the House of Representatives was created as the result of Bong County’s Representative, Prince Moye’s victory in the just ended Senatorial election, thereby making him Senator elect of the county.
With several names now emerging, the latest from Montserrado County Electoral District #4 Lawmaker, Routonlyn S. Dennis whose ambition is to ensure that women are strongly represented at the highest level of decision-making at the House of Representatives.
Representative Dennis made her decision known on her Facebook page on Saturday, December 26, when she said, “After a careful consideration and endorsement, I have decided to throw my hat in the race for the Deputy Speaker post in the 54th legislature of the Republic of Liberia. Your prayers and support are needed.”
Recently, Montserrado’s County lawmakers, Yekeh Kolubah, Dixon Seboe, Richard Nagbe Koon, Acarious Moses Gray, Hanson Kiazolu; with Bong’s Moima Brigg Mensa; Sinoe’s Clayton Duncan; Bassa’s Thomas Gousia; Margibi’s Ivar Jones, Grand Kru’s J. Fonitta Koffa and Nimba’s Samuel Kongar and Johnson Gwaikilo are all reportedly said to be eyeing the post.
With several political pundits, women groupings and other well-meaning individuals have all expressed the need for a woman Deputy Speaker, owing to the fact that since post war Liberia, the legislature is yet to produce a female Speaker or Deputy Speaker and that if Rep. Dennis is elected to the post, it will be a record-breaking moment for Liberia’s political dispensation.