Monrovia – With reports of ongoing maneuvering in the corridors of the House of Representatives to permanently remove recused Speaker Alex J. Tyler from his position as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Speaker Tyler has written the presiding officer of the body, Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue, requesting a six- week leave from work for medical reason.
Report by Henry Karmo – [email protected] & Hannah Gizzie Intern Reporter
“I present my compliments and inform you that I will be traveling out of the country for my medical checkup which is overdue.
I will be leaving on Tuesday, September 6 and shall be away for six weeks. These letters serve as my excuse from plenary”– Alex J. Tyler, recused Speaker of the House of Representatives
Speaker Tyler last week announced through a statement that he was recusing himself from serving as Presiding Officer based on request by his colleagues and the alleged demands by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf that she can no longer work with him.
In his recusal statement, Speaker Tyler indicated that if his recusal will lead to Liberia moving forward, he was willing to let the position go for the sake of the country and its people.
“For me it is not about Alex Jenekai Tyler. The people of Liberia, whom we serve, are looking to us for leadership and their interest and welfare should reign supreme above any individual or personal consideration. I hope all national leaders must be cognizant of this fact”, he said.
He continued: “Therefore, if my recusal is the ultimate sacrifice that will move our country forward and end this current quagmire, I am herewith recusing myself from presiding over the plenary of the House of Representatives so that the business of the Liberian people can be fully addressed”.
Following his recusal, Legislative insiders have hinted that the majority bloc is working to permanently remove the Speaker with reports that up to 47 lawmakers have signed a petition seeking to get the required 49 members of the House of Representatives which constitutes 2/3 of the body to remove the Speaker.
Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution provides: “The House of Representative shall elect once every six years a Speaker who shall be the presiding officer of that body, a Deputy Speaker, and such other officers as shall ensure the proper functioning of the House. The speaker, the Deputy Speaker and other officers so elected may be removed from office for cause by resolution of a two-thirds majority of the members of the House”.
Two left for removal
Some lawmakers have confided in FrontPageAfrica that as of Tuesday, 47 lawmakers have signed the resolution to oust the Speaker permanently with the latest lawmaker to crossover from the Speaker Tyler’s bloc being Nimba County Lawmaker Prince Tokpah (erstwhile NUDP).
One source indicated that lawmakers are rushing to sign the resolution and there is now a growing distrust with those heading the removal process now rejecting some lawmakers from signing because some of these lawmakers vowed that they were going to remain with Speaker Tyler to the end.
The rush to occupy lucrative Legislative Committees is also said to be taking its toll on the signing of the anti-Tyler resolution with some lawmakers demanding to be offered Committees position before signing the resolution and with a large number of lawmakers already on the anti-Tyler side they are reportedly showing resentment to pro Tyler lawmakers whom they believe were not part of the bigger fight to oust the Speaker.
Already, there are discussions on the replacement for Speaker Tyler with several lawmakers weighing their options to test the process even though one of the main ring leaders in the quest to remove Speaker Tyler, Representative Edwin M. Snowe, is believed to have declared lack of interest for the Tyler’s position.
Escaping removal?
With the debate at the Capitol now all surrounding the removal of Speaker Tyler, the recused Speaker wrote plenary Tuesday seeking an excuse to undertake a medical trip.
Speaker Tyler, in separate communication, stated: “I present my compliments and inform you that I will be traveling out of the country for my medical checkup which is overdue. I will be leaving on Tuesday, September 6 and shall be away for six weeks. These letters serve as my excuse from plenary”.
In another communication the recused speaker also officially informed lawmakers of the House of Representatives about his decision to recuse himself from presiding over plenary session of the House of Representatives.
“It is my hope that this period, Mr. Deputy Speaker that you will work with the leadership of the House and all our colleagues in fostering the National Development Agenda. I shall avail myself at any time if my advice is required,” he added.
First joint session in months
Members of the House of Representatives, for the first time in months, held a joint session in the joint Chambers of the Capitol Building where Anti-Tyler lawmakers have been conducting Legislative work.
The session was held with Deputy Speaker Barchue presiding and Wesseh Blamoh, Chairman on Executive co-presiding.
Though the Tyler’s communication was noted, some members including Samuel Korgar, Henry Fahnbulleh (who is also named in the Global witness report), Bill Twehway and Acarous Gray requested for the communication to be opened for debate.
After several minutes of discussion, the presiding officer took charge of the matter.
Disorganized House
On Tuesday there was a disorganized gathering in the joint chambers as a result of the excuse from the recused Speaker.
After the excuse was read, the presiding officer said it was an excuse for medical treatment but the House was completely disorganized for 30 minutes.
Lawmakers from both sides were widely discussing the excuse of the Bomi Lawmaker. Some lawmakers said the excuse should not be granted because such excuse is an escape route for Tyler.
On the other hand, some lawmakers said the excuse of Tyler should be granted because he needs to go for medical checkup which is his right to do so.
The lawmakers have been divided for the past weeks but on the issue of the Speaker’s excuse, they came in one accord that Speaker Tyler’s excuse should be granted.
When Speaker Tyler is granted the requested excuse, legislative observers believe he will escape removal until January because the body cannot excuse him and at the same time remove him in his absence as due process will not be accorded him.
If his not removed until January, Speaker Tyler will preside over the joint session of the National Legislature for President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to deliver her State of the Nation address.