MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Bility has confirmed his participation in a meeting regarding an “exit plan” for embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. Speaking on the Spoon Network on Sunday, December 15, 2024, Bility admitted that the meeting was supervised by Vice President Jeremiah Koung, lending credence to Koung’s earlier revelations about Koffa’s alleged negotiations to secure an amicable resignation deal.
Bility acknowledged that the meeting appeared to have been part of a series of discussions aimed at finding a resolution to the leadership crisis within the House of Representatives. “This was my first time attending such a meeting, but it was clear there had been previous ones,” Bility said. He added that the discussions revolved around proposals presented by Koffa, which were ultimately rejected.
“Whatever Speaker Koffa requested as a way out was conveyed to the Majority Bloc, but they refused to agree. The bloc wanted Koffa to step down unconditionally, which he declined. Koffa insisted on due process,” Bility noted. He also disclosed that he suggested formalizing the process through a resolution to ensure transparency.
Vice President Jeremiah Koung had earlier disclosed on Spoon Network that Speaker Koffa sought to negotiate his exit by requesting the lifting of suspensions on members of his bloc, reassigning them to key committees, and being allowed to preside over the session in which he would officially transfer authority to Deputy Speaker Fonati Fallah. Koung indicated that these conditions were dismissed by the Majority Bloc, which led to a stalemate.
Speaker Koffa has fiercely denied Koung’s allegations. In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Koffa described Koung’s claims as “lies, twisted lies, and distortions.”
“At no time did I negotiate with the Vice President or the President to resign,” Koffa wrote. “My position remains clear: let’s return to legislative normalcy by removing illegal suspensions, restoring rightful committee heads, and addressing all matters in session, including their complaints.”
Koffa further accused Vice President Koung of orchestrating the leadership crisis, stating, “The VP asked for a white ballot for Richard Koon, the passage of the budget, and discussions on committee leadership after a new Speaker was elected. I rejected all of that. The next day, the Minister of Justice issued an opinion on the court ruling, which was clearly scripted for him. Koung’s inappropriate comments on a radio talk show exposed him as the mastermind of this unconstitutional saga.”
Koffa reaffirmed his stance, emphasizing his commitment to the rule of law. “The executive can continue to ignore the law, but I will not waver,” he concluded.
The leadership struggle in the House of Representatives has tipped considerably in favor of the Majority Bloc, which elected Montserrado County District #11 Representative Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker on November 21, 2024. Koon’s election, orchestrated by Majority Bloc leader Samuel G. Kogar, dealt a decisive blow to Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s leadership, signaling a major shift in power within the legislature.
The Majority Bloc has accused Koffa of corruption and conflicts of interest, claiming these issues undermine his credibility as Speaker. The proceedings began in the Joint Chamber, where the bloc endorsed the findings of a special committee set up to investigate Koffa. The report highlighted allegations of corruption and conflict of interest against him. Following its presentation, the Majority Bloc introduced a resolution calling for Koffa’s removal.
Representative James Kolleh of Bong County District #2 subsequently put forward a motion to declare the Speaker’s seat vacant. The motion also urged the Executive to strip Koffa of his immunity. Despite these developments, Koffa has remained defiant, asserting that any attempt to remove him without adhering to constitutional procedures and House Standing Rules is both unlawful and illegitimate.
The election of a new Speaker, coupled with Rep. Musa Bility’s confirmation of the exit plan meeting, suggests that the leadership crisis in the House of Representatives is far from resolved. Legislative reporters have informed Smart News Liberia that these events highlight deeper divisions within the legislature, raising serious concerns about governance and stability in both the House of Representatives and Liberia’s wider political scene.
Roosevelt Tolbert, a Liberian journalist closely following the House standoff and the underlying political maneuvers, told Smart News today that as tensions intensify, all eyes remain on embattled Speaker Koffa and the Majority Bloc as they cross this high-stakes political deadlock.
