–Koffa Accuses Boakai Of Inflaming Impasse
On Monday the ground of the Capitol Building was terrorized by armed officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) who were seen physically attacking elected lawmakers and raining insults on their staffs. Several representatives, including Luther Collins, Yekeh Kolubah, were victimized by the police brutality.
The chaotic scene on Capitol Hill was as a result of the interpretation of the Supreme Courtโs ruling in the case involving members of the House of Representatives regarding the removal of the Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa.
The โmajority blocโ had gathered to begin hearings in the 2025 Draft National Budget in the office of the Deputy Speaker, Representative Thomas P. Fallah, but members of the โKoffa blocโ termed their action a contradiction of the courtโs ruling and therefore obstructed invited officials of government from entering the grounds of the Capitol.
On the orders of Representative James Kolleh, officers of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) of the LNP stormed the Capitol to provide protection for members of the โmajority blocโ and the invited officials, and in the process brutalized several members of the โKoffa blocโ. By the end of the day, it was reported that Gbarpolu Countyโs Representative, Luther Collins, sustained an injury on his head and is undergoing treatment at a clinic.
The hostile atmosphere lasted for hours, with the embattled Speaker of the House, Cllr. Koffa, accusing President Joseph N. Boakai and the Executive Branch of government of inflaming the tension at the first branch of government.
Speaker Koffa expressed disappointment in the heavy presence of police officers at the grounds of the Capitol Building, noting that it is a clear indication that the absentees lawmakers [โmajority blocโ] are allegedly getting the comfort from the Executive in what he described as treasonous plot.
Meanwhile, Gbarpolu Countyโs Senator, Amara Mohammed Konneh, has wondered where is President Joseph Boakai in this entire matter.
Senator Konneh called on the President to demonstrate a decisive action and strong presidential leadership to restore order in the House of Representatives and move the country forward.
โI am fully aware of the separation of power doctrine in the Constitution. But as the 8th poorest country in the world, we canโt afford to behave like a normal rich country. President Boakaiโs success in the Executive Branch depends on a well-functioning Legislature. He must unite us now, following the Supreme Courtโs opinion, to make 2025 a better year for our country,โ he noted.
However, political commentator, Abdullah Kiatamba, has warned that, amidst calls for his intervention, President Boakai has to tread the House impasse very carefully, recognizing the separation of power. But, according to him, if the spectacle creates a gridlock and paralyzes the governmentโs ability to run things, he will have to consider a more robust engagement to bring a sense of sanity to the state. โWhen and how he engages will ultimately determine the wealth of his experience and the depth of his wisdom,โ Kiatamba observed.
