As the political sphere of Liberia continues to be embroiled in controversies, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is accusing the ruling Unity Party (UP) of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai of alleged corrupt attempt to unseat House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
The CDC alleges that the UP orchestrated a plot to bribe lawmakers with over US$1.3 million in an effort to remove Koffa, a critical figure in the opposition. This is reportedly the third alleged attempt by the UP to remove the Speaker since its unsuccessful bid to control the position in January 2024.
The CDC, in a statement, condemned the alleged move, describing it as a misuse of public funds and a serious breach of trust. The party argues that the Unity Party’s focus on removing Koffa is not only an abuse of power but also a reflection of its disregard for the economic struggles facing ordinary Liberians.
With many citizens unable to afford basic necessities, including school fees for their children, and the government failing to pay public workers on time, the CDC views the alleged allocation of such a large sum of money for political maneuvering as both immoral and criminal.
The alleged bribery, according to the CDC, was captured on video and audio recordings, suggesting a high level of evidence to support their claims.
The CDC has called on the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Ministry of Justice to launch a full-scale investigation into the matter, describing the situation as a “criminal conspiracy” that warrants immediate legal scrutiny.
The CDC contends that in a country where public resources are scarce, the use of over US$1.3 million to influence legislative decisions represents a profound disrespect for the public, particularly at a time when the nation faces significant financial challenges.
The CDC notes that Speaker Koffa’s position is crucial in maintaining a democratic equilibrium between the Senate, led by the ruling Unity Party, and the House of Representatives, where an opposition party holds power.
The CDC argues that the UP’s relentless pursuit of the Speakership is a threat to this balance, which is essential for ensuring transparency, accountability, and the proper oversight of government actions, including the crafting and execution of the national budget.
This balance, the CDC asserts, reflects the will of the Liberian people, who in the 2023 elections chose to distribute legislative power rather than give the ruling party complete control over both houses.
The CDC has warned that the Unity Party’s actions, if left unchecked, could lead to a dangerous centralization of power reminiscent of Liberia’s past, when the “imperial presidency” allowed for unchecked executive influence over the legislature.
Such a return, the CDC argues, would undermine the democratic progress the country has made and would erode public confidence in the legislative process.
The CDC’s call to action is not limited to Speaker Koffa’s defense. It extends to the broader opposition community, urging its members to rally against what it describes as a “pernicious age-old habit” of removing legislative leaders for selfish political reasons rather than in pursuit of the public well.
The party stresses that maintaining legislative parity is essential for preserving Liberia’s democratic institutions and preventing corruption within the government.
The CDC also issued a direct appeal to its own lawmakers, particularly those whose signatures have reportedly been attached to a resolution to unseat Koffa.
The party called on these lawmakers to adhere to the will of the CDC and its partisans, urging them to resolve any grievances within the party’s internal mechanisms, such as the CDC Legislative Caucus and the National Executive Committee, rather than resorting to actions that could undermine party unity and public trust.
The CDC’s leadership, in a bid to address the escalating crisis, has convened a major meeting of all CDC lawmakers.
The meeting, scheduled for Monday at the party’s headquarters, is expected to bring together CDC representatives from both the House and the Senate.
The party has issued a stern warning to those who fail to attend, indicating that such absences will be seen as a public disavowal of their membership in the CDC Legislative Caucus and, by extension, the CDC itself.
This public disavowal, the CDC suggests, will not go unnoticed by the party’s National Executive Committee, which will take further action as deemed necessary.
The controversy surrounding Speaker Koffa’s potential removal has highlighted the deep political division within Liberia’s legislature.
The CDC’s accusations against the Unity Party have reignited concerns about corruption, the abuse of power, and the manipulation of public institutions for personal and political gain.
In the meantime, the CDC has called on all Liberians, particularly its supporters, to stand united in defending the integrity of the nation’s legislative process and public finances.
The party emphasized that the struggle to protect democratic values and ensure responsible governance is not just about the Speaker’s position, but about the future of Liberia’s democracy itself.
