spot_imgspot_img
Thursday, February 13, 2025

LEGISLATIVE POWER PLAY AS AMB. NEUFVILLE HIGHLIGHTS THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF NUMBERS IN SPEAKER’S REMOVAL

Date:

MONROVIA – Ambassador Rufus Neufville, a former Representative for District #8 in Montserrado County, has added his voice to the ongoing tension in the House of Representatives regarding Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s leadership. In a recent commentary titled “My Legislative Experience On The Removal Of Speaker,” Neufville shared insights from his own experiences during a contentious legislative period in 2007.

Recalling the events of that time, Neufville led a team of minority lawmakers opposing the removal of Speaker Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. He emphasized the lack of due process in the proceedings and suggested that their colleagues were swayed by powerful, unseen influences. As the majority faction convened at the Unity Conference Center in Virginia, Neufville and his supporters conducted their business at the Pavillion in Monrovia. He noted that while they started with a solid number of supporters, their ranks dwindled as the majority’s strength grew.

“The Chief Clerk and other employees at the Capitol began taking instructions from the majority while Snowe was still Speaker,” Neufville recounted. “One day, we arrived at the Pavillion only to find the Speaker’s chair and table missing. A security officer informed us that the Sergeant had taken the chair to the majority at the Unity Conference Center.”

Faced with these challenges, Neufville and his supporters turned to the Honorable Supreme Court for resolution. Their case was successful, with the Court ruling that it lacked the authority to impose leadership on another branch of government and asserting that due process must be observed in the removal of a Speaker or any legislative member.

Neufville referenced Black’s Law Dictionary’s definition of due process, which stresses the importance of legal proceedings adhering to established rules and principles. Despite winning in court and gaining support on popular radio stations, Neufville’s group ultimately failed to sway the majority of their colleagues.

“The legitimacy is in the numbers,” he asserted. “The power to make laws rests in the numbers. To conduct legislative business, a quorum is essential, and quorum depends on the numbers.”

Recalling a pivotal moment, Neufville described a breakfast meeting with Speaker Snowe, during which he and Representative Edwin Juah conveyed their exhaustion from the struggle for numbers. The following day, Snowe resigned, and Neufville’s faction joined the majority at the Unity Conference Center.

Concluding his reflections, Neufville emphasized a crucial point: “In legislative politics, the side with more lawmakers will ultimately prevail. The only way Speaker J. Fonati Koffa can maintain his position is by keeping a majority. This entire situation will ultimately resolve through mathematical calculations — the numbers.”

As legislative tensions continue to rise, Neufville’s insights serve as a reminder of the critical role that numbers and majority support play in the political landscape of Liberia.

smartnews
Smart News Liberia is an online news outlet and a product of Smart Media Group Inc. Our website, smartnewsliberia.com, covers a broad spectrum of news content. For inquiries or information, you can reach us at 0777425285 or 0886946925, or email us at smartnewsliberia@gmail.com or info@smartnewsliberia.com.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

PRESIDENT BOAKAI SUSPENDS OFFICIALS FOR IGNORING ASSET DECLARATION MANDATE

MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has taken decisive...

SIERRA LEONE’S PRESIDENT BIO WARNS LIBERIAN MILITARY AGAINST POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT

MONROVIA – The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) must...

ELON MUSK’S DOGE CANCELS $17 MILLION LIBERIA TAX ADVICE PROJECT

LIBERIA – Elon Musk, head of the Department of...

LIBERIANS DESERVE RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP, NOT WASTEFUL SPENDING

After 177 years of existence, Liberia remains stuck in...

PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN MARYLAND COUNTY CLOSED OVER UNPAID SALARIES

MARYLAND COUNTY, LIBERIA — The Maryland County Board of...

IS LIBERIA’S DEMOCRACY AT RISK? A STEP BACKWARDS LOOMS

The Capitol Building fire recent reports have stirred deep...

A WAKE-UP CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND REFORM

The December 18, 2024, fire that engulfed Liberia’s Capitol...

COMMENTARY

WHY FOLLOW A PR STRATEGY TO OVERCOME CRISES AND MAINTAIN BRAND VISIBILITY

Courtesy of Martin Blayon, an experienced Public Relations Specialist Misinformation...

THE LASTING LEGACY OF PRINCE JOHNSON’S DEATH AND THE PATH FORWARD FOR LIBERIA

By Lyndon J. Ponnie, Sr. The passing of former Liberian...

PRES. BOAKAI’S LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND LIBERIA’S POLITICAL CRISIS

-A Commentary Joseph Boakai's failure to lead has once again...

THE MASS DISMISSAL OF LIBERIAN PUBLIC SERVANTS: A TROUBLING TREND UNDER THE BOAKAI ADMINISTRATION

A Commentary by Wondah L. Jah Since assuming the presidency,...

LATEST NEWS

REP ALEX GRANT & FOREST CHIEF OFFICER CLASH OVER FOREST MATTER

By Jacob S. Tweh, Jr The tussles over forest issues...

LIBERIA’S TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION LIST OF PERSONS RECOMMENDED FOR PUBLIC SANCTIONS

LIBERIA - All those associated with former warring factions,...

PIAH’S LEADERSHIP AT MICAT CRITICIZED FOR MISMANAGEMENT AND LACK OF PRODUCTIVITY

MONROVIA – Former Assistant Minister for Information Services, Matthew...

Share post:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

OPINION

HOR IN UPROAR AS EMBATTLED SPEAKER KOFFA’S INFLUENCE EXPOSES GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES

By Socrates Smythe Saywon, Sr. Liberia’s political scene is currently...

LIBERIANS ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UP AND CDC

  An Opinion By Grace RK Guar Every six...

AMERICA’S NEGLECT OF LIBERIA: A CALL FOR CHANGE

An Opinion By Bishop Dr. Rudolph Q. Kwanue, Sr A...

AMID AN UNENDING WAR AGAINST POVERTY, INJUSTICES – HAS THE PROGRESSIVE STRUGGLE BECOME LOST IN TRANSLATION?

A Patriot's Diary With Ekena Wesley What manner of Liberian progressives...

THE GALLERY

spot_imgspot_img

MORE ARTICLES

spot_imgspot_img

MORE NEWS

LATEST DEVELOPMENT NEWS

LATEST CRIME NEWS

Share via
Copy link