Monrovia — House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon is facing mounting pressure from within his own ranks, as about 41 lawmakers boycotted the reopening of the House of Representatives on Friday and met separately to discuss grievances against the chamber’s leadership, including allegations of financial misconduct and administrative irregularities.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
The lawmakers, operating under the banner of the Reformist Movement, gathered in Schefflin, Margibi County, while Koon and a handful of legislators attended the formal reopening ceremony at the Capitol, marked by the hoisting of county flags following the legislative break.
The boycott, coupled with reports that the lawmakers are soliciting signatures for a 12-count resolution targeting the House leadership, has intensified speculation about a possible move to remove Koon and Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah.
Significantly, several lawmakers reportedly involved in the agitation are political allies of Koon and hold influential positions on key House committees, suggesting that the discontent extends beyond the traditional divisions within the chamber.
However, the lawmakers who spoke publicly about Friday’s meeting said their immediate concerns centered on benefits, legislative support funds and other resources they believe have been withheld under the current leadership. They did not openly confirm plans to remove the Speaker or his deputy.
Koon’s Allies Among Those Leading the Push
Among the lawmakers reportedly associated with the Reformist Movement are Jeremiah Garwo Sokan Sr. of Grand Gedeh County District #1, chairman of the House Committee on Mines, Natural Resources and Environment; Prince K. Koinah of Bong County District #1, chairman of the Committee on Contracts, Monopolies, Public Procurement and Concessions and co-chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Committee; and Sam P. Jallah of Bomi County District #3, co-chair of the Hydrocarbon Committee.
Others include Bernard Blue Benson Jr. of Montserrado County District #17, chairman of the Committee on Information, Broadcasting, Culture and Tourism; Anthony Williams of Maryland County District #2, co-chair of the Peace, Religion and National Reconciliation Committee; Augustine B. Chiewolo of Lofa County District #5, chairman of the Committee on Resettlement, Repatriation, Relief and Readjustment; and Johnson S. N. Williams Sr. of River Gee County District #3, chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary.
The group is reportedly seeking signatures on a 12-count resolution that could pave the way for leadership changes. Allegations of financial misconduct and administrative irregularities involving Koon and Fallah are said to feature among the lawmakers’ grievances.
The precise contents of the proposed resolution, however, have not been publicly established.
Lawmakers Cite Unpaid Benefits and Support Funds
Speaking after Friday’s meeting, Representative Frank Saah Foko of Montserrado County District #9 said the gathering was intended to provide a collective platform for lawmakers to express their grievances.
He said another meeting had been scheduled for Sunday, October 11, when the group is expected to reach a resolution on its next steps.
Representative Matthew Joe of Grand Bassa County said the lawmakers were discussing how to demand their benefits and legislative support funds, which he alleged had been denied under the leadership of Koon and Fallah.
Joe described the issue as recurring and said the lawmakers were determined to engage the relevant authorities to press their demands. Asked whether the meeting was intended to organize the removal of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, he said he was unaware of such a plan.
Representative Samuel Enders of Montserrado County District #6 similarly said the gathering focused on benefits and district support, adding that he was not aware of any effort to remove the Speaker.
Representative Abu Kamara of Montserrado County District #15 described the meeting as a good one but did not elaborate on its outcome.
The lawmakers’ public explanations leave questions about whether the dispute is primarily over financial entitlements or whether the grievances will culminate in a formal challenge to the House leadership.
Only 13 Lawmakers Attend Reopening
The boycott was reflected in the poor attendance at the Capitol, where only 13 of the House’s 73 members reportedly participated in the reopening ceremony.
Those present were Speaker Koon; Dorwohn Twain Gleekia of Nimba County District #6; Moima Briggs-Mensah of Bong County District #6; Ivar K. Jones of Margibi County District #2; Nehker E. Gaye of Nimba County District #3; Alexander Poure of River Gee County District #1; Sekou S. Kanneh of Montserrado County District #2; Clarence G. Gahr of Margibi County District #5; Obediah J. Varney of Bomi County District #1; Mannah Bishop Johnson of Bomi County District #2; Foday Fahnbulleh of Bong County District #7; Ernest M. Manseah Sr. of Nimba County District #4; and Alex J. Grant of River Cess County District #1.
The turnout marked a striking contrast with the formal reopening of the Legislature, which typically draws a broader attendance from members returning from recess.
The Reformist Movement’s decision to convene separately rather than attend the ceremony has further heightened tensions surrounding the House leadership.
Echoes of the Koffa-Koon Leadership Crisis
The latest confrontation recalls the prolonged leadership dispute that preceded Koon’s election as Speaker following the resignation of Cllr. Fonati Koffa of Distriy#2, Grand Kru County.
During that crisis, lawmakers who identified themselves as the Majority Bloc boycotted sessions and held parallel meetings, eventually declaring Koon Speaker and Fallah Deputy Speaker. The dispute reached the Supreme Court, which ruled that actions taken outside the House chamber while the Speaker remained in office and present were ultra vires.
Following Koffa’s resignation, lawmakers elected Koon as Speaker, while Fallah retained his position as Deputy Speaker. The confrontation had exposed deep divisions within the House, with lawmakers aligning themselves with competing factions.
The current agitation raises the prospect of another leadership struggle, although the Reformist Movement has yet to publicly confirm that removing Koon and Fallah is its objective.
Speaker’s Office Declines to Comment
When contacted, Vehzelee Sumo, head of communications for the Speaker’s Office, declined to comment on the reported removal effort, saying the office would respond at the appropriate time.
Previously, the office said it was unaware of any plan to remove the Speaker and would not comment on rumors.
With the Reformist Movement expected to meet again on Sunday, attention is now focused on whether the lawmakers will move beyond their complaints over benefits and district support to pursue a formal resolution against the House leadership.
For Koon, the challenge is particularly sensitive because some of the lawmakers reportedly involved in the agitation are among those who have served alongside him in influential committee positions.
Whether the emerging movement will result in a leadership change or remain a pressure campaign over lawmakers’ financial and administrative grievances is expected to become clearer after the group’s next meeting.
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