MONROVIA – Representative Musa Hassan Bility of Nimba County’s District #7 has voiced his disappointment in Speaker of the 55th Legislature, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, for his defense of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s continuous travels. Speaking on the “Closing Argument” show on Monday, October 14, Rep. Bility criticized Speaker Koffa’s stance, labeling it as inappropriate given the growing concerns surrounding the president’s international trips.
Bility, a vocal lawmaker, remarked, “When I become Speaker for just one day in this country, I will make sure I pass all resolutions that will change this country for good.” He emphasized that Speaker Koffa’s defense of President Boakai’s travels lacked leadership and urged him to lead without fear. “Speaker Koffa needs to act with courage because he remains untouchable. It would require 48 out of 72 members of the National Legislature to impeach the Speaker, and that’s nearly impossible.”
The lawmaker also raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding a $45 million request made by President Boakai at the start of his administration. According to Bility, there have been no reports or accountability concerning how these funds were used, deepening the distrust in Boakai’s leadership.
This criticism follows Speaker Koffa’s public defense of President Boakai’s travels during a briefing with Liberian journalists in the United States. Koffa argued that Liberia, as a small nation with limited capital and a heavy reliance on international partners, requires a president who actively engages with the global community. “The president must be the chief salesman of Liberia,” Koffa stated, defending Boakai’s efforts to promote the country abroad. He dismissed the criticism as mere politics, stating, “Any new president who does not travel extensively is doomed to fail.”
Despite Koffa’s explanation, critics like Rep. Bility remain unconvinced, believing that the president’s travels have not yielded tangible results for the Liberian people. Tensions between the government and the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) have also heightened, with issues such as the court-ordered eviction of the CDC from its headquarters further straining relations.
Rep. Bility’s remarks add to the growing debate over President Boakai’s leadership, transparency, and the effectiveness of his international outreach efforts, reflecting deeper divisions within the Liberian political landscape.
