FARMINGTON, Margibi County – Ahead of the much-anticipated speakership election today, Deputy Speaker Fonati Koffa has expressed confidence that he is on track to win.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
He said threats of a court action against him by his opponent are mere pre-election talks and is confident that the court will not be used as a political tool to disenfranchise anyone.
He was speaking to report that the Unity Party is gearing up to challenge the citizenship of Deputy Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa on the eve of the Speaker election.
Credible sources have disclosed that the impeached Associate Justice Kaneh Ja’neh, Cllr. Cooper Kruah, and Cllr. Johnny Momo have been retained by the Unity Party to file a writ against the deputy speaker, alleging issues with his citizenship.
The Secretary General of the Unity Party, Mr. Amos Tweh, confirmed to FrontPageAfrica that the party is exploring various strategies to secure a win for their candidate Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker election for the 55th Legislature, and challenging Cllr. Koffa’s citizenship is one of the options under consideration.
“We’re in an election, and we’re strategizing. It’s either we go to the election and win him or we find a way to stop him. So, we are reviewing all our options,” Tweh said.
But downplaying the court’s threat, Rep. Koffa said he was on course to win and any
“One of the officials said if we can’t win against him, we will stop him. Don’t know what that means. I think this is the time for reconciliation,” he said. “Elections and democracy are the way we settle official matters for public office. What you can’t win on the floor of the house, we hope you don’t go win in the court. But the court is not the body who determines the outcome of what people’s legitimate franchise is. I hope nobody is disenfranchised by running to the court.”
Rep. Koffa is a leading contender in the upcoming speakership race. He is being supported by the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) lawmakers and some independent lawmakers. His rival, Rep. Richard Koon is backed by the Unity Party. FrontPage Africa has also learned that some high-ranking members of the exiting Coalition for Democratic Change are preparing to challenge the citizenship of the Unity Party’s Richard Koon, alleging him to be an American citizen with a strong tie to Nigeria.
The latest controversy arises from Koon’s alleged admission of his citizenship at the age of 36, which some believe is a violation of the constitutional requirement that mandates declaration at the age of 23. Legal experts argue that this discrepancy could lead to a delay in the inauguration process if the Speaker’s position remains vacant.