By Moses M. Tokpah
/MARGIBI
Margibi County Senator Nathaniel F. McGill has sharply criticized President Joseph Boakai for his recent remarks regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on quorum, labeling the President as “ill-advised.”
Speaking to journalists in Kakata over the weekend, Senator McGill articulated his concerns about President Boakai’s promise to collaborate with whichever faction achieves a quorum in the House of Representatives.
President Boakai’s recent comments, made in a national address, signaled a willingness to work with any group in the House that can form a quorum, regardless of the court’s explicit ruling against the majority’s actions.
The President framed his stance as necessary to ensure government continuity, stating, “We will continue to work with the quorum that will ensure the full functioning of our government. Under my leadership, the government will not be held hostage by narrow interests or acts of lawlessness.”
The senator, however, warned that such a position could be interpreted as executive support for actions the Supreme Court has deemed unconstitutional, cautioning Boakai to “be careful how he tailors his message as a national leader.”
McGill drew a parallel to Boakai’s inauguration, where the President claimed that an adviser inserted references to a war crimes court into his speech.
“I think somebody ill-advised the president by putting a ‘tricky thing’ in his statement that he will work with quorum,” McGill asserted.
“I believe the President, as he claims, must be a law-abiding leader and maintain that position,” McGill stated, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law.
He underscored that the President’s statement disregards the Supreme Court’s interpretation of quorum, which stipulates that “anywhere the quorum is, Koffa must be presiding over that quorum.”
The Margibi Senator believed that without Speaker J. Fonati Koffa at the helm, any assembly claiming to form a quorum is illegal.
He reiterated that all elected officials, including the 103 members of the legislature, are bound by their oath to protect the constitution of Liberia.
McGill asserted that the Supreme Court, as the final arbiter of justice under Article 66 of the Liberian constitution, is responsible for interpreting the law, while the enforcement of its decisions falls to the executive branch led by the President.
He further emphasized that according to the Supreme Court ruling, Koffa remains the legitimate Speaker of the House, and any other arrangement would be unconstitutional.
The senator acknowledged the political complexities within the House, where certain members have expressed a lack of confidence in Koffa’s leadership.
However, he insisted that all parties must first recognize the court’s ruling before any discussions about the speaker’s future can occur.
McGill cautioned against rejecting the Supreme Court’s decisions outright, questioning how the rule of law could be upheld if such actions were tolerated.
He stated, “How will you prosecute anybody if anybody violated the law, where will you carry them?”
He labeled this potential scenario as a dangerous precedent.
Addressing the ongoing political turbulence, McGill called for Representative Richard Koon to resign, asserting that Koon’s position as speaker is untenable unless Koffa resigns and Koon is duly elected.
He speculated that should Koon remain in power, future administrations could reverse any actions he undertakes, given their illegitimacy.
While McGill acknowledged ongoing discussions with Koffa, he stressed that Liberia’s stability must take precedence over individual ambitions.
He warned against any maneuvers that could lead the country back to chaos reminiscent of the civil unrest experienced over a decade ago, asserting, “We don’t want a bloodbath because people want to assume power onto themselves.”
Senator McGill’s statements reflect a growing concern over the adherence to constitutional law in Liberia amid the ongoing political turmoil, emphasizing the need for leadership that prioritizes the rule of law and the welfare of the nation.
