Amidst power struggle the House of Representatives is currently confronted with, advocacy for South-eastern representation among the three branches of government has surfaced.
Liberia currently has the head of Executive, President Joseph Boakai, hailing from Lofa, while embattled Speaker Cllr. J. Finati Koffa hails from Grand Kru County.
But the growing tension as a result of fight for his removal as speaker would see the Southeastern Legislator leaving the speakership position, a stage constitutionally ranked as Liberia’s third position.
That is, if majority which is two-third of the seven-three lawmakers front for the Southeastern Lawmaker to be removed as speaker of the 55th National Legislature.
While this continues to be embroiled at the House, a major political actor from the Southeastern Region has taken the stance, calling on all lawmakers from that part of the country to save Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s speakership.
Senator Numene T. H Bartekwa of Grand Kru County, and Acting Chair of the Southeastern Legislative Caucus, has expressed that the removal of the Speaker is counterproductive to their representation among the three branches of government in Liberia.
“Fellow compatriots, it is indeed a very critical moment for us as a region. We considered it a critical moment in that our representation in the governance of our beloved country as a region is being seriously threatened by the current crisis at the Honorable House of Representatives”, the Senator Stated.
He reflected on the 2023 General and Presidential Elations where former President George Weah and another Southeasterners left national leadership democratically.
“As we are aware, the 2023 general and presidential elections led to the massive departure from the governance stage of all of the senior government officials who at the time hailed from the southeast including Former President George Manneh Weah, Former Speaker Bhofa Chambers, Former President Pro Tempore Albert Tugbe Chie, Former Deputy Speaker, J. Fonati Koffa, among many others”.
According to him, the only consolation for them is the election of Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“As God would have it, the only consolation that we took courage in as a region was the election of Hon. Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa as Speaker of the 55th Legislature thus taking the 3rd position of the government.”
According to the Senator, It is shocking and highly disheartening as a region, to see the threat being posed to Speaker Koffa as a result of the current crisis at the lower house.
The Acting Southeastern Legislative Caucus Chair launched an appeal to all members of the regional Caucus who are members at the House of Representatives, especially on the opposite side to the Speaker to reconsider their respective decisions and reunite with the Speaker.
“You may all have your reasons that led to your action. Please allow us not to dwell on the merit and demerit of your reason, but to humbly urge you to note that there is no perfect person on the face of the earth.”
He sated: “ You should also remember the saying that says blood is thicker than water” , bringing to his colleagues attention That Speaker Koffa is their blood.
“We can rescue a child from a danger before we slap him or her on the back. If Koffa is removed, who will we have at the top level of the government.”
Senator Numene T H Bartekwa, however assured that the caucus will surely engage the speaker to address whatever concerns if they reconsider their decision.
He ended his statement by indicating: “Again, as we leave you, please remember that family tree can band and can not break. Please note that our engagement with each of you continues”
