Monrovia – The attempts by some lawmakers to remove Speaker Alex J. Tyler through a resolution continues to take a dramatic trend with new intrigues emerging daily.
Report by Henry Karmo – [email protected]
“My signature on any document is my signature. This is deception and Representative Saah Joseph is one CDC lawmaker I respect a lot. I am not only disappointed in him but that is a deception because he told the Party leadership that he did not sign any document — so to come back and say he is withdrawing his signature — that is a deception and I think the CDC needs to take action”- Representative Moses Acarous Gray (CDC-District #8 Montserrado County
On Monday, at least four lawmakers wrote communications withdrawing their signatures after initially signing the resolution pushing to oust the Speaker.
The four lawmakers including Saah Joseph, Samuel Woleh, Richmond Anderson and Morias T. Waylee all stated separate reasons for their decisions but one common concept stressed by all was unity.
A day after their letters, one of the lawmakers, Anderson persistently stressed that he did not write any letter rescinding his decision although he did not grant FrontPage Africa a formal interview to challenge the letter in the possession of FPA under his signature and with wordings representing the Committee on Information, Culture and Tourism which he heads.
Controversy emerges
The letter from Representative Joseph of the CDC has raised more controversy especially the content in which the lawmaker expressed that he was rescinding his signature from the resolution to oust Speaker Tyler because his political party, the CDC, has instructed its lawmakers to foster unity rather than conflict.
Representative Joseph’s letter stated: “Distinguished colleagues, following the affixing of my signature on the above mentioned resolution and having realized that our country needs reconciliation, peace and the working together of all those elected to serve our people more than ever before in the history of our country, especially as we endeavor to achieve the first constitutional transfer of power from one elected government to another; we, as representatives and leaders of the country must be seen working together to attain this goal”.
The lawmaker continued: “further, a decision was reached at the National Executive Committee of my party (CDC) to the effect that we, CDC lawmakers, must work towards uniting the Legislature rather than taking position that further divides it.
In view of the aforementioned, I am herewith withdrawing and rescinding my earlier decision and signature from said resolution. I shall avail myself to work with you and our colleagues, including the Speaker to unite the Legislature”.
Besides the letter, Representative Joseph also granted an interview to FPA on Monday, disclosing that he has withdrawn his signature from a resolution intended to remove speaker Alex Tyler based on a mandate from his party’s executive committee.
But the revelation by the lawmaker seems to have created controversy as some CDC lawmakers have denied ever getting such mandate from the party’s Executive Committee.
Representatives Moses Acarous Gray (CDC-District #8 Montserrado County) one of the strong voices in the advocacy to remove speaker Tyler in a telephone conversation with a local talk show host, said his colleague’s claims are false and misleading.
Lawmaker Gray recommitted himself to the process of ousting Speaker Tyler, stating that there is no turning back on the process.
“I spoke to the political leader of the CDC, and I can say to you that the CDC through its political leader is not a dictatorial party that will demand. It’s our constitutional rights and at no point in time the CDC through its political leader George Weah instructed any lawmaker. He is not a dictator, it’s my constitutional rights”.
Representative Gray has maintained that his signature remains valid on the resolution. “My signature on any document is my signature.
This is deception and Representative Saah Joseph is one CDC lawmaker I respect a lot. I am not only disappointed in him but that is a deception because he told the Party leadership that he did not sign any document—so to come back and say he is withdrawing his signature—that is a deception and I think the CDC needs to take action.”
Lawmaker Gray has promised not to surrender in his quest, stating that the CDC as an institution cannot question their decision. He said Senator Weah expressed disgust over the embarrassment of Rep. Joseph’s letter.
The CDC lawmaker in his telephone conversation also cautioned Speaker Tyler not to give money to lawmakers for support because, in his words, he has lost legitimacy.
“The CDC is not an institution that people can use to shield people criminal attitudes. The CDC constitution is clear, it does not protect people who are accused of corruption. It is written in the constitution of the CDC,” Representative Gray said.
He also confirmed his hatred for Speaker Tyler, saying from the day he entered the Capitol he vowed to ensure that the speaker is ousted.
Not True-CDC Legislative Caucus Chairman
Like Gray, Representative Thomas Fallah (CDC-District #5 Montserrado County) chairman of the CDC caucus joined his colleague Gray, to deny Representative Joseph’s claims, stating that at no time did the CDC’s executive committee take such decision but also confirmed a meeting.
Rep. Fallah said: “I don’t want to use the word false but I think my brother needs to take that back. A meeting was held, lawmakers’ views were expressed but if you talk about National Executive Committee decision, then it means you need to know the format to such decision.
“As chairman of this caucus, I can tell now that it’s not true”, he said.
Multiple sources confirmed that by the weekend, the lawmakers pushing for the ousting of Speaker Tyler have garnered sufficient signatures to push their plan into action this week but on Monday, the variable changed with the letters written by the four lawmakers withdrawing their signatures.
On Monday FPA obtained four letters the first two dated July 24 and 25 from two lawmakers who wrote withdrawing their signatures from the resolution they earlier signed.
On July 24, Representative Richmond Anderson, District 12, Montserrado County wrote the committee calling for the recusal of Speaker Tyler withdrawing his signature.
“I have the honor to present my compliments to you and members of the Committee to remove Honorable Alex J. Tyler as Speaker of the House of Representatives for his alleged role in the Global Witness saga and wish to express my deepest appreciation to you and Committee members including the Liberty Party Legislative Caucus for your kind request that I head the struggle to remove the Speaker in an effort to redeem the honor of the Legislature.
This request, as you know, was accepted in good faith with the appending of my signature. I wish to thank you for the confidence reposed in my ability and integrity”, stated lawmaker Anderson.
Representative Anderson further indicated that based on the fact that the Legislature as the first branch of government which is significantly responsible to maintain the unity, stability and peace of the country he has given serious thought to his previous decision, realizing that as one of the elders and leaders of the House of Representatives and importantly chairman for Information, Broadcasting, Culture and Tourism, he believes he should be playing a significant role in defending the House’s image in assisting to bring peace, unity and reconciliation other than expanding the divide and conflict.
Thirty-three lawmakers boycott session
Thirty-three members of the House of Representatives Tuesday boycotted Legislative work in the wake of the controversies surrounding the removal of Speaker Tyler.
The boycott comes a day after a secret meeting held at the home of deputy speaker Hans Barchue among lawmakers who are in the quest to have the speaker recue himself.
Despite the boycott Speaker Tyler presided over a session with 34 members present, 6 in distance reaching the number to 40 which according to the rules of the House of Representatives constitute a quorum.
Letters of excuse from lawmakers including; Morais T. Waylee, (UP) Malai G. Gbogar (LP), Bhofal Chambers, (CDC) Alex C. Grant, (MPC) were noted by the body and were counted as present members in distance