Monrovia-Since the release of a report by Global Witness alleging bribery payment by Sable Mining Company to some present and past officials of government, which has culminated into the indictment of several individuals including Speaker Alex J. Tyler, the speaker has over the last few weeks come under strong pressure from some of his colleagues asking him to recuse himself from presiding over the House of Representatives. But the Speaker now says President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is using the Global
Witness report in disguise to induce members of the House of Representatives to remove him.
The House of Representatives has been tense in recent weeks resulting to one lawmaker, Edwin M. Snowe running to the Supreme Court, complaining against what he described as constitutional violation by the body to suspend roll call for a period of one month based on a motion filled by Representative George Mulbah.
The Supreme Court has since mandated the body to return to status quo ante and the House of Representatives has reverted to roll call before holding its regular session but it seems the relative calm is not sufficient to protect the Speaker from further onslaught by his colleagues against him.
Speaker Tyler Monday told a news conference that President Sirleaf is using the Global Witness report to induce members of the House of Representatives to remove him describing the alleged attempt as a diabolical political ploy.
“The chief architect of this ploy is President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the chief motive of President Johnson- Sirleaf is to remove me as the Speaker of the House of Representatives who is seen in her mind an obstacle in pursuance to her personal political agenda. In view thereof, the President is seeking to by-pass the constitutional safe-guard of an independent Legislature”. – Alex J. Speaker, House of Representatives
Said Speaker Tyler “This press conference is not intended to discuss the case that is before the court as we are aware that to do so would be subjudice. Rather, we have called you to expose a diabolical ploy hidden under the guise of, and the intent of, the Global Witness Report to fight against corruption and to unconstitutionally exercise control over the House of Representatives and the Legislature”
Sirleaf bluntly accused
The under fire Speaker did not mince his words when he accused President Sirleaf as the architect for his removal.
“The chief architect of this ploy is President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the chief motive of President Johnson Sirleaf is to remove me as the Speaker of the House of Representatives who is seen in her mind an obstacle in pursuance to her personal political agenda. In view thereof, the President is seeking to by-pass the constitutional safe-guard of an independent Legislature”, Speaker Tyler alleged.
He says the circumstances surrounding the Global witness report which named him and other senior Government officials for bribery it is reasonable to anticipate, given the country political history and context, the next move could be an attempt on his person and life.
The Speaker also says the President who has been using people he termed as surrogates to remove him has now taken step further by inducing lawmakers to sign a resolution to remove him.
“I wish to inform you ladies and Gentlemen, that the President has now moved a step further by calling on individual lawmakers to induce them through the offer of financial package to draw up and sign a resolution for my removal”, added the Speaker.
Undue strangulation
Speaker Tyler says the President has further threatened to withhold the benefits of lawmakers and district project funds if they fail to remove him.
“These well-orchestrated ploys by the President to hold the House of Representatives in ransom by denying members their due benefits and entitlement as a means to strangulate us into undue political submission is in itself dictatorial and undemocratic to say the least. We will resist any sort of blackmail and hold high our standing and maintain that our benefits and entitlement are by law and not by the will and pleasure of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf”, the Speaker continued.
He described the alleged attempt by the President to remove him as total disrespect and disregard to the Constitution and laws of Liberia and those who elected her and the very people they as lawmakers represent.
“We are leaders of our people and not subjects of the President or kids running after her for candies. Be assure that we will defend the sacred doctrine of separation of power as enshrined in Article 3 of the constitution of our country”, the speaker declared.
Demanding speedy trial
The Speaker who has been indicted and is currently facing trial says using money to remove him will be costly and as such he is suggesting that the resources be redirected to give him and others a speedy trial.
“In my opinion, instead of the President, despite all the intrigues, persecution, intimidation, witch-hunt, character assassination and possible threats to my person and life, we will uphold, maintain and protect the scared doctrine of separation of powers as enshrined in our constitution. I tighter with some of my colleagues have reaffirmed our commitment to maintain the independence of the Legislature”, Speaker Tyler expressed.
When contacted, Deputy Presidential Press Secretary Abel Plackie said he was busy with the visit of American First lady Michelle Obama and could not comment on the allegations made by Speaker Tyler against the President.
Press Secretary Jerolinmek Piah could not be reached as his phone was switched off.
Speaker Tyler took over the position during the 52nd National Legislature following the controversial removal of Representative Snowe, where it was reported that lawmakers were induced to sign a resolution removing Snowe.
At the time a member of the ruling Unity Party, Speaker Tyler was elected Speaker by his colleagues.
After his re-election as lawmaker in 2011, he was again voted Speaker defeating new lawmaker Representative Ricks Toweh of District # 6, Nimba County.
Several attempts to remove him as Speaker all failed accordingly because he was still enjoying the support of the President.
With an eye on contesting the Presidency, Speaker Tyler resigned from the Unity Party and was one of the brains behind the establishment of the Liberian People Democratic Party (LPDP).
Since he left the Unity Party, Speaker Tyler relationship with President Sirleaf is said to have deteriorated greatly.
In keeping with the rules of the House of Representatives, the Speaker can be removed based on a resolution by two third majority of the membership of the body. The House of Representatives has total membership of 73 but currently one lawmaker from Nimba County is bedridden leaving 72 active representatives.
Those pushing for the removal of Speaker Tyler will have to obtain the support of a total number of 47 lawmakers to effect the change.
Henry Karmo (0886522495) [email protected]