By Grace Q. Bryant
Montserrado County District 10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah was again removed from a regular House session on Monday after openly rejecting Montserrado County District 11 Representative Richard Koon as Speaker.
Kolubah, a vocal critic of President Joseph Boakai’s administration and Koon’s election as Speaker, caused a commotion shortly after the agenda was read. “Richard Koon is not the Speaker. I only recognize Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah,” Kolubah declared, sparking heated reactions from Koon’s supporters in the chamber.
Koon’s allies, including River Gee District 3 Representative Johnson Williams and Montserrado District 8 Representative Prince Toles, called for immediate action, accusing Kolubah of undermining the session and disrespecting the Majority Bloc’s leadership.
In response, Speaker Koon instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort Kolubah out of the session. The situation escalated as Kolubah resisted but was ultimately removed, continuing to reject Koon’s authority.
Speaking to reporters outside the chamber, Kolubah remained steadfast.
“Koon is not the Speaker. He is desperate for power, and I will never recognize him. As far as I’m concerned, Fonati Koffa is the only legitimate Speaker of the House,” he said.
Kolubah further accused the Boakai’s administration of engineering what he described as “an illegal leadership structure” in the House of Representatives.
He claimed Koon’s election undermines democratic values and reflects the administration’s alleged efforts to consolidate power.
The incident underscores growing divisions within the House, with Koon’s leadership facing resistance from lawmakers, like Kolubah, who are openly critical.
