Montserrado County District 11 Representative Richard Nagbe Koon has ascended to the Speakership of the 55th National Legislature on a White Ballot.
This follows a decisive move by the Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives, which secured endorsements from 50 lawmakers—just above the constitutional threshold of 49—to declare the Speakership vacant. Some critics have termed the majority bloc’s action “unconstitutional and arbitrary,” as the “removed” Speaker files a petition with the Court for a Writ of Mandamus.
With Koon elected unopposed on a white ballot, Representative J. Fonati Koffa has been reduced to an ordinary lawmaker. His removal has stripped him of the privileges and immunities associated with the Speaker’s office and resulted in the immediate withdrawal of his security personnel and assigned vehicles. These were subsequently handed over to the newly elected Speaker Koon.
While some lawmakers and observers welcome this leadership shift, critics argue that the process was unconstitutional and undermines the principles of democracy.
Adding to the controversy, Koffa and Representative James Kolleh—one of the key figures in his ousting—are locked in a power struggle over legislative authority. The clash has created confusion among legislative staffers regarding whose directives to follow.
In a recent memo, Koffa instructed all directors, deputies, assistants, and sectional heads to ignore an acquaintance meeting called by Kolleh, who now serves as Acting Chairman on Rules, Orders, and Administration.
Koffa and Koon have a history of political rivalry. On January 15, 2024, Koffa narrowly defeated Koon in a closely contested race for the Speakership, winning 36 votes to 31. That election marked the beginning of the 55th Legislature, following the dissolution of the 54th House of Representatives and the departure of former Speaker Dr. Bhofal Chambers.
However, the tides have now turned, with Koon securing the support of the Majority Bloc to claim the Speakership.
Refusing to concede, Koffa has filed a petition for a writ of mandamus with the Supreme Court of Liberia, challenging the legality of his removal. In a defiant social media post, he downplayed the development: “Nothing has happened.”
A writ of mandamus is a legal directive mandating a public official or public official to perform their lawful duties.
The leadership crisis has left the House of Representatives deeply divided, with many Liberians anxiously awaiting a resolution to restore stability. As the legal battle reveals, the legitimacy of Koon’s Speakership hangs in the balance, and the political future of Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa remains uncertain.
