MONROVIA – In the 2023 legislative elections that are being marred by surprises, leaders of the House of Representatives, with the exception of Deputy Speaker Jonathan Fonati Kofa and Representative Thomas Fallah, have been rejected by their constituents. And Leading the marching order is Speaker Bhofal Chambers, followed by Rep. Acarous Moses “The General” Gray, Chair on Executive.

By: Gerald C. Koinyeneh – gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Prior to the elections, top members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Chambers joined some of their Senate counterparts and reaffirmed their commitment to the re-election of President George Manneh Weah. The entire leadership of the House of Representatives of the 54^th Legislature pledged its support. In affirming their support, the lawmakers pledged to lead the charge in their respective constituencies to ensure the President is reelected. These lawmakers were not really concerned about their re-election as they thought they wielded more influence in their district and each were expecting nothing less than landslide win. However, as per the National Elections Commission’s official results, more than 90 percent of these lawmakers were booted out.

Here, FrontPage delves into their political demise.

House Speaker Bhofal Chambers  

Speaker Chambers was so optimistic going to the elections. He predicted a massive win for himself and President Weah in the county. While Maryland and the Speaker’s Pleebo Sodoken District delivered for Weah, the speaker was shockingly defeated by none other than youthful Anthony F. Williams, a former student leader who is a relatively unknown figure in terms of national politics. In a fiercely contested poll, Williams, of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), received 8,105 votes, constituting 45.29 percent, and Speaker Chambers got 8,024, amounting to 44.82 percent. Thus, leaving a slim margin of 82 votes or 0.47%. The defeat ends Speaker Chambers 18-year dominance in Maryland County’s politics, six of which was spent as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Analysts say his absence now paves the way for fellow CDCian and southeasterner, Deputy Speaker J. Fonati Koffa to be the next Speaker and head of the 55^th Legislature. Speaker Chambers is credited for surviving a turbulent session, and later turning most of his political foes into friends. However, critics say upon his ascendancy as Speaker, he became too passive, and bent on doing the bidding of the executive, a complete different version of the once “no-nonsense and tell it as it is” lawmaker he once was during the 53rd and 5nd Legislature, respectively. He will be remembered for chairing a session that passed two faulty financial agreements, the Eton and EBOMAF, as well as presiding over the controversial impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh. Pro war crimes court campaigners blame him for thwarting every effort exerted to legislate law establishing a war and economic crimes court for Liberia.

Acarous Moses “The General” Gray

Rep. Acarous Moses Gray, fondly called “The General” for his staunch advocacy, especially as an opposition lawmaker in the 53^rd Legislature, serves as Chair on the Committee on Executive and a ranking member of the ruling CDC. He was seeking re-election for the third time as Representative of Montserrado Electoral District #8, but his dream was thwarted by Prince Toles of the opposition Unity Party (UP) following a stiff competition. The results were delayed over an attempt by some poll workers to cheat. However, after a recount of the ballots from the polling center in question, the NEC declared Toles the winner of the polls on Wednesday, October 18 with 9,249 (32.82%), while Rep. Gray trails with 9,165 (32.52%). Critics say while he was vocal in the 53rd Legislature under the administration of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Gray was quiet in the 54th Legislature. Following his reelection in 2017, he announced he will not seeking another term in 2023, but he changed his plan and joined the race. Some constituent members accused him of abandoning his district and relocating to his luxurious home in Dwazohn, Margibi County. He made headlines when he married Liberian actress Love Weah in a lavish wedding ceremony held in Paris, the French Capital.

In his 12 years at the House of Representatives, Gray sponsored and co-sponsored several bills. one of his signature bills was the Dual citizenship bill that was passed in 2021. However, he will be remembered as the lawmaker who led the charge and introduced the impeachment bill of Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh.

Kanie Wesso, the Judiciary Chair

Outgoing Gbarpolu District #2 lawmaker Kanie Wesso is the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary. He was defeated by Luther Sandy Collins. Wesso ascended to the chairmanship of the third highest ranking committee after his boss, J. Fonati Koffa was elected as Deputy Speaker. With his meaningful road projects in Gbarpolu, he had anticipated a landslide victory. However, he lost to Collins.

Johnson Gwaikolo

Elected in 2017, Rep. Gwaikolo serves as Chairman of the House’s influential Committee on Rules, Order and Administration. Initially appointed as Chairman of the Education Committee, the former President of the United Methodist University and former Deputy Minister of Public Works was elevated to the influential House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration. Currently, Rep. Gwaikolo is spearheading the Legislature’s modernization program, renovating the Capitol Building. He joined the CDC and read the endorsement statement on behalf of a group of lawmakers who pledged their support to the re-election of President Weah in the buildup to the campaign. He is credited for leading President Weah to Gbi-Doru (Weah’s maternal home) which falls within his constituency. He is also lauded for putting a ferry on the St. John River, which forms the boundary between Bong and Nimba Counties, making transportation for citizens of the two counties easier and safer. At the Legislature Rep. Gwaikolo, who had earlier served as a legislative assembly member during the civil war, adapted quickly. He soon formed a formidable friendship with Speaker Bhofal Chambers following their admittance to the 54^th Legislature. He is applauded for helping to restore order in Speaker Chambers’ chamber, but analysts say his support to the CDC adversely impacted his reelection bid in Nimba, a stronghold of the opposition Unity Party and Prince Y. Johnson’s Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR). He faced stiff competition from from several high-profile natives of Nimba District #9 including Taa Wongbe, who is in an unassailable lead. According to the NEC, With 74 of 75 (98.67) of the polling places counted so far, the businessman turned politician leads with 6,509 (29.92%), while Rep. Gwaikolo is a distant behind in second place with 4,190 votes (19.26%).

Matthew Zaza

Known as Speaker Chambers’ “Whip”, Rep. Zaza was instrumental in pushing the agenda of President George Weah. He was often recognized by Speaker Chambers to proffer motions calling for the passage of President Weah’s bills that were forwarded to the House of Representatives. He is a member of the University of Liberia’s Board of Trustees, representing the Legislature. He abandoned his representative ambition and threw his hat in the Sinoe’s senatorial race, but lost to fellow lawmaker, Rep. Crayton Duncan who currently represents Sinoe Electoral District #1 and chairs the House Foreign Committee.

Ganta, Nimba County – Over the weekend, citizens of District Number 9 in Nimba County gathered in large numbers in Graie Township on the Saclepea-Tappita highway to endorse the re-election bid of Representative Johnson Gwaikolo.

By Franklin Doloquee / Nimba County

The citizens cited their decision to support Representative Gwaikolo’s re-election as a result of his outstanding leadership throughout the 78 towns and villages in the district.

They pointed out that no town or village in District Number 9 can’t boast of development activities carried out by the lawmaker. Supporting his re-election, they believe, will add value to his administration.

Reading the endorsement statement, Joshua Dahn outlined the three functions of lawmakers and told the gathering that District Number 9’s lawmaker has excelled in all aspects. He listed additional accomplishments, including the construction of health facilities, market halls, bridges, and youth centers, among others, as the reasons they chose to endorse his second term bid. They want the lawmaker to continue his development efforts across the district.

The endorsement statement emphasized that Representative Gwaikolo has worked tirelessly to maintain peace, tranquillity, and promote development and human capacity building across the district. They see his mature and diplomatic leadership style coupled with his significant development activities and advocacy as the basis for their endorsement, not only for District Number 9 but for the country as a whole.

They mentioned specific accomplishments, including the provision of a high school for Doe Chiefdom and other adjacent districts 6 and 7. Over the years, parents and school administrators in Doe Chiefdom had voiced the need for a high school to ease the burden of sending their children to distant areas for secondary education. Now, they can proudly point to several high schools in the district.

Elder Worutah Dahn from Doe Administrative District also joined the citizens and pledged their support for Representative Gwaikolo’s re-election. Elder Dahn revealed that the district’s chiefs and elders, as well as women’s groups and young people, believe in his leadership and have chosen to endorse him to continue his development activities across the 78 towns and villages in District Number 9.

The ceremony was graced by Nimba County Superintendent Nelson Korquoi and County Inspector Mack Gblinwon, among others.

In response to the citizens’ endorsement, Dr. Johnson Gwaikolo found it unbelievable that citizens would spontaneously organize such a significant event in his honor. He pledged to undertake even more development activities in the district if re-elected.

District Number 9 Representative Dr. Johnson Gwaikolo urged not only his fellow citizens but all Liberians to support the re-election of President George Weah so that he can continue his development efforts throughout the country. He highlighted that his development initiatives in the district are driven by the interests of his constituents in the 58 towns and villages in District Number 9.

The former President of the United Methodist University, now representing District Number 9, called on all Liberians, including his constituents, to support the re-election bid of Liberia’s leader so that he can continue his development activities nationwide. He compared the work done by Representative Gwaikolo in District Number 9 and President George Weah for Liberia with that of leaders who spent 12 years in power. He believes that by supporting President George Weah’s re-election, the government will further boost and increase development for all. He specifically cited road infrastructure development as an example of the good work being done by the Liberian leader.