By Archie Boan
The official opening of the third and final quarter of the Second Session of the 55th Legislature on Friday was overshadowed by the absence of 37 members of the House of Representatives, leaving only 35 lawmakers present for the ceremony.
The low turnout at the Capitol Building drew public attention and raised questions about internal divisions within the House. Despite the significant number of absentees, Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon proceeded with the formal opening and used the occasion to urge reconciliation and unity among members.
Delivering his special remarks, Speaker Koon reminded his colleagues that the Liberian people expect leadership that rises above personal and political differences.
“Let us work not as partisans, but as patriots,” he appealed. “We may debate vigorously, but we must never be divided. Our people are watching, and history will judge us by how we serve the nation, not by where we stand politically.”
The Speaker’s tone was conciliatory, as he acknowledged the visible rift among lawmakers and called for renewed collaboration to advance the legislative agenda.
While the reasons for the high absenteeism remain unclear, some Capitol insiders attribute it to growing internal disagreements and political alignments that have recently surfaced within the House. No official explanation was provided during the opening session.
Speaker Koon, however, emphasized that the House must move forward in unity to address critical national priorities, including the pending National Budget, the New Elections Law, and several key social bills.
“Our strength lies in our ability to reconcile and work together,” he said. “Let us put the nation first and ensure that this final quarter delivers meaningful results for the Liberian people.”
Despite the low attendance, the House officially opened its final quarter with optimism that all members will fully participate in subsequent sittings as legislative activities intensify.
