Liberia’s speaker of the House of Representatives Bhofal Chambers has taken a strong stance, describing his Deputy Speaker Jonathan Fornati Koffa “compromised and unfit” to lead the 55th Legislature.
Speaking to the Voice of Hope in Maryland County recently, Speaker Chambers said Representative Koffa is already compromised, and electing him to the speakership post would erode the credibility of the House.
“We have somebody who has been compromised, the current deputy speaker who wants to be speaker”
Chambers said Representative Koffa is a personal lawyer for a number of public and private institutions, a contravention of the Liberian Constitution
“It is common knowledge that Honorable Koffa is the lawyer for the Central Bank of Liberia. He cannot be a lawmaker and at the same time lawyer of the Central Bank of the CBL. You cannot be a lawmaker or deputy speaker and you are the lawyer of Liberia Telecommunication Authority and Maritime and Bea Mountains”.
Chambers Complains to Weah
Dr. Chambers also accused his deputy of undermining the office of the speaker claiming he complained the deputy speaker to President Weah on the matter.
Members of the 55th Legislature are expected to go to the polls on January 15, 2024 to elect a speaker and deputy speaker.
Deputy speaker Koffa is standing in the elections to replace his boss, Speaker Bhofal Chambers, who is challenging the Pleeboe Sodokan district representative election result between he and former student leader, Anthony F. Williams of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP).
The Deputy Speaker’s camp has responded with a statement vehemently denying the accusations, labeling them as baseless and politically motivated.
Speaking in an interview with a host of Liberian journalists up Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Koffa said Chambers is suffering from trauma caused by his defeat to Mr. Anthony Williams.
However, Koffa admited he is the personal lawyer to a few public and private entities in Liberia.
As this story continues to develop, citizens and stakeholders alike are closely monitoring the debate and eager to understand the implications for the future direction of Liberia’s legislative agenda.
The Speaker’s critique has sparked debates on leadership integrity of Cllr. Koffa who is opting to replace his boss.
Koffa going against Unity Party Supported candidate Richard Nagbe Koon who has since promised to reform and restore the integrity of the first branch of the Liberian government.
