MONROVIA – In a move that has shaken political observers, Grand Bassa County District #5 Lawmaker Thomas Goshua has provided a detailed explanation for his controversial decision to sign, and later rescind, a resolution aimed at removing Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa.
Goshua revealed today that his initial signing of the resolution, which was part of a larger effort by the majority bloc led by Rep. Samuel Kogar of Nimba, was a strategic decision made to gather critical information. The resolution, which sought to oust Speaker Koffa, was supported by several members of the House of Representatives who had aligned themselves to back Kogar’s plan for leadership change.
According to Goshua, he signed the resolution at the request of certain members within the Speaker’s bloc. His objective was to verify the extent of support behind the majority bloc’s efforts and ascertain the exact number of signatures they had garnered for Koffa’s removal. “I signed the resolution of the majority bloc as part of an effort to obtain critical information regarding their plans and the exact number of members they had aligned to remove the Speaker,” Goshua explained.
The lawmaker emphasized that this action was taken in the presence of his staff at his residence in Monrovia, further underlining the transparency of the process. However, after gathering the necessary information, Goshua quickly informed the majority bloc that he had rescinded his support for the resolution, withdrawing his signature.
The turning point came when Goshua, while listening to Spoon Talk, heard Rep. Samuel Kogar assert that all lawmakers who had signed the resolution were now bound by it. Alarmed by this, Goshua sought legal counsel. Based on the advice of his attorneys, he took the necessary steps to formally notarize his decision to rescind his signature, making his disassociation from the movement official.
“I cannot betray the Speaker because of the respect and confidence he has shown in us,” Goshua said. He went on to condemn the actions of some of his colleagues in the joint chambers, whom he described as having taken “inappropriate” steps toward Speaker Koffa’s removal. He reiterated that he stood by his decision to distance himself from the majority bloc’s efforts.
This development comes on the heels of a significant announcement on Thursday, November 21, 2024, when Rep. Samuel Kogar’s majority bloc declared that Rep. Richard N. Koon had been elected as Speaker in a dramatic move within the Joint Chambers of the House of Representatives, replacing the embattled Speaker Koffa.
Goshua’s decision to step back from the resolution adds to the growing political drama within the Liberian House of Representatives, as lawmakers struggle with the future of their leadership and the direction of their legislative agenda.
