Monrovia-Since the indictment against Speaker Alex J. Tyler by the Special Presidential Task Force for his alleged role in a bribery saga reported by Global Witness, there has been attempts to oust the Speaker spearheaded by some of his fellow lawmakers.
Representative Samuel Kogar of Nimba and Gabriel Smith of Grand Bassa were the first two lawmakers to express that the Speaker be restricted from presiding over proceedings at the House of Representatives until his trial is over.
A while later, Representative Edwin M. Snowe who served as Speaker during the early days of the 52nd National Legislature took over the debate and wrote a communication to be discussed in plenary calling on Speaker Tyler to recuse himself from presiding over the House of Representatives.
Lawmaker Snowe also resisted a motion filed by Representative George Mulbah (Bong County, National Patriotic Party) requesting the body to suspend some of its rules by allowing the quorum for June 2 plenary session to be maintained for the period June 2 to July 2 instead of calling roll during every plenary deliberation.
Representative Snowe described the motion as an attempt to violate the Liberian Constitution which calls for roll call of lawmakers during plenary session.
The Supreme Court has already issued a Writ of Prohibition against the House of Representatives but while the legal process is ongoing, credible sources have indicated that the office of President Sirleaf and about four lawmakers are working to convince other lawmakers to support and vote in favor of a resolution to oust Speaker Tyler.
Multiple sources have hinted FrontPageAfrica that two separate meetings were allegedly held at the residence of President Sirleaf and a hotel located on the Congo Town Back road and another at a construction site belonging to Representative Thomas Fallah (CDC, Montserrado County) strategizing on how to get the support of other lawmakers in the attempt to oust Speaker Tyler.
Amongst the lawmakers said to be heading the alleged plot include Representatives Edwin Snowe, Adolph Lawrence, Thomas Fallah and former head of the Ways, Means and Finance Committee of the House of Representatives, Emmanuel Nuquay.
During last Thursdays tension at the Capitol, Representative Nuquay was the lawmaker who started the process by calling on the Speaker to recuse himself from presiding before other lawmaker joined him, making the entire chambers of the house to go wild in confusion.
The lawmakers spearheading the alleged plot are said to be using their office aides to invite other lawmakers to separate venues for meeting to covey the content of a financial package soliciting the signature of lawmakers to remove Speaker Tyler.
Big financial package?
Like the case of former Speaker Snowe who was accordingly removed after an amount of US$5,000 was dished to each lawmaker in support of his removal, there are also reports that an another huge package is afoot for the lawmakers to remove their speaker. One source said an initial amount of US$20,000 is the financial package behind the Speaker Tyler removal.
Accordingly, both Representatives Snowe and Lawrence have already received some portion of the money to mobilize the anti-Speaker Tyler bloc to get the signatures of these lawmakers through a resolution.
Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue has been reportedly tipped to take over when Speaker Tyler is successfully ousted from the Speaker position.
On last Thursday, the chambers of the House of Representatives was engulfed by tension when lawmakers pro and anti-Speaker Tyler exchanged harsh comments over the attempt to oust the speaker.
Representative Solomon George (CDC, Montserrado County) openly insulted another CDC lawmaker Fallah during the heated exchanges.
The two lawmakers have already been suspended by the CDC over their actions during the acrimonious legislative debate.
The latest lobbing to remove Speaker Tyler through a resolution was provoked by the Speaker throwing out a challenge to his colleagues demanding that those who want him to recuse himself put their grievances into writing.
One lawmaker speaking on anonymity told FPA that the Executive is strongly behind the plan to remove Speaker Tyler and money to facilitate the process is expected to be dished out between June 27 to July 1 in order to get more lawmakers sign a resolution. The lawmaker admitted that another colleague made the approach for gain more support but did not name the colleague.
A long time close associate of President Sirleaf, Madam Madina Wesseh and another individual, Toe Wesseh are said to be those behind the cash inducement plan to remove the Speaker.
Atty. Wesseh, a private Secretary of the President served as Executive Assistant to the President in 2006 when Representative Snowe was removed and Snowe accused the President at the time of distributing US$5,000 to each lawmaker to remove him.
One lawmaker at the time Representative Samuel Bondo (Bong County) in an audio recording admitted receiving US$5,000 to sign the resolution to remove than Speaker Snowe.
The lawmakers pushing the removal of Speaker Tyler will have a difficult time as the Speaker has built a bloc where a good number of lawmakers have close ties to him.
In keeping with the Rules of the House of Representatives, a two third (2/3) majority is required to remove or suspend a sitting member of that body or the Speaker.
Executive Mansion, Lawmaker tightlipped
When contacted, Presidential Press Secretary, Jerolinmek Piah did not respond to calls and two txt message sent him.
Representative Snowe also did not reply a text message seeking inquiry on the allegations.
Speaker Tyler recently resigned from the ruling Unity Party and joined the newly established Liberia People Democratic Party (LPDP).
It is speculated that since Speaker Tyler left the Unity Party his relationship with President Sirleaf has gone sour.
Speaker Tyler admitted during the opening of his business along the Robertsfield highway that he invited President Sirleaf to the dedication ceremony but the President declined the invitation.