MONROVIA – The recent election of Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker of the House of Representatives was anticipated as a resolution to the prolonged legislative paralysis that gripped the Lower Chamber of Liberia’s Legislature for over seven months. However, instead of ushering in a new era of unity and adherence to constitutional order, Speaker Koon’s early actions have sparked renewed controversy and raised legal and procedural concerns, particularly regarding his sweeping appointments to House leadership positions.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway, [email protected]
Koon, who represents Montserrado County Electoral District #11, officially assumed the role of Speaker on May 13, 2025, following a contentious and drawn-out leadership dispute with former Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa.
That power struggle left the House politically fragmented and largely ineffective for more than half a year, with legislative activities nearly ground to a halt due to the lack of a functioning quorum.
The hope among many lawmakers and political observers was that Koon’s formal induction would pave the way for healing and institutional stability. Instead, his immediate move to appoint new committee chairpersons and members has been met with significant pushback — not just for its political ramifications but also for its perceived violation of the House’s own rules.
At the center of the controversy is Chapter 14, Rule 54 of the House Rules and Procedures. This rule is unambiguous in its stipulation which states that committee chairpersons and members are to serve three-year terms.
The only grounds for removal of chairpersons or co-chairpersons are a two-thirds majority vote by House members for cause, as specified in Rule 54.1. Rule 54.2 further elaborates that the Speaker may appoint replacements only when a chairperson ceases to serve, and even then, such appointments must occur in consultation with House leadership.
Koon’s sweeping changes appear to sidestep both conditions. Former committee leaders were still well within their three-year mandate, and there has been no record of due process or vote establishing “cause” for their removal. Instead, upon taking office, Speaker Koon promptly announced a nearly complete reshuffling of committee leadership.
Among the notable changes, Rep. James Kolleh was named Chairperson of the Committee on Rules, Order and Administration, while Rep. P. Mike Jurry of Maryland County now chairs the Committee on Ways, Means and Finance. Rep. Sekou Kanneh of Montserrado County was appointed to head the Committee on Executive. Rep. Emmanuel Dahn, also of Montserrado, was named Co-Chair on the Executive Committee and simultaneously appointed Chair of the Committee on Information and Broadcast. Meanwhile, Rep. Nehker Gaye of Nimba County was named Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
These appointments have effectively displaced many committee leaders installed during Koffa’s tenure. For example, Bong County District #3 Representative Josiah Marvin Cole previously chaired the influential Rules and Order Committee, while Nimba County’s Rep. Taa Z. Wongbe led the Foreign Affairs Committee, with now-Speaker Koon serving as co-chair. The Executive Committee was formerly led by Rep. Emmanuel Dahn — now repositioned — and co-chaired by Rep. Samuel Enders of Montserrado County.
The implications of this reshuffle are far-reaching. It suggests a purge of the previous leadership and an assertion of unilateral control that bypasses the checks and balances embedded in House rules. More importantly, it raises legal concerns and threatens to deepen existing political rifts rather than close them.
In an interview with FrontPage Africa, Rep. Cole condemned the Speaker’s actions as both illegal and provocative. He stated, “The action taken by the House Speaker is illegal and a chemistry for new conflict at the Legislature.”
According to Rep. Cole, the Speaker has ignored the fact that any proper dissolution of committees would require the approval of two-thirds of House members — approximately 49 votes — a process that has not taken place.
Rep. Cole further accused Speaker Koon of trying to reignite legislative conflict rather than quell it. “We have contacted the Mansion, we have spoken to the President through his agent to inform him that the action of their Speaker is a chemistry of new conflict. To think that you can sideline 26 or 28 members of the Legislature, I think he’s not up for peace,” he said.
The Bong County lawmaker revealed that a faction known as the “Rule of Law Caucus” has raised alarms with the Executive Mansion, warning of the potential for another legislative breakdown. The group plans to challenge the appointments in plenary during upcoming sessions.
What is especially striking is the political symbolism that has accompanied Koon’s rise. According to Rep. Cole, discord was already brewing at the Speaker’s inauguration, when members of Koon’s camp wore T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase “The law is the law” — a slogan perceived as a taunt against those advocating for rule-based governance.
Such symbolism may seem trivial, but it underscores the ideological divide in the House that one side appeals to procedure and continuity, while the other leverages political momentum to assert dominance.
Speaker Koon, despite ascending through legitimate means, is now being accused of undermining the very rules he swore to uphold.
The legal and procedural violations alleged by members of the Rule of Law Caucus not only cast a shadow over Speaker Koon’s leadership but also threaten to further destabilize Liberia’s already fragile Legislature.
Unless addressed through transparent dialogue and adherence to established House rules, these actions may ignite another round of political turmoil — one the country’s democracy cannot afford.