Amid growing discontent among reformist lawmakers over the leadership of the 55th Legislature, Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon has appealed for unity and dialogue, warning that internal disagreements should not overshadow the House of Representatives’ responsibility to the Liberian people.
Speaking Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the opening of the final quarter of the Third Session, Koon urged lawmakers to resolve their differences through established internal mechanisms rather than taking disputes into the public domain.
“Our disagreements should never become more important than the work the people elected us to do,” Koon told members of the House.
His appeal comes as reformist lawmakers continue to express dissatisfaction with the House leadership, with disagreements over lawmakers’ benefits and other institutional concerns contributing to tensions within the chamber.
Koon acknowledged that disagreements are inevitable among elected representatives with different interests, political convictions and constituencies. However, he cautioned that the public airing of internal disputes could damage the reputation of the entire institution.
“Every internal disagreement that becomes a public spectacle has consequences beyond the individuals involved. It affects the image of the entire House and further erodes the confidence of our citizens in the institution we have all sworn to serve,” he said.
The Speaker was quick to clarify that his call for restraint should not be interpreted as an attempt to silence lawmakers or discourage them from holding leadership accountable.
“I am not suggesting that members should surrender their convictions, remain silent in the face of wrongdoing, or abandon their constitutional responsibilities,” Koon said, adding that every lawmaker has the right to question, criticize and demand accountability from leadership.
He nevertheless urged members to prioritize dialogue before resorting to public confrontation.
“Let us talk to one another before talking about one another. Let us seek solutions before seeking headlines,” he emphasized.
Koon Credits Ocean View Meeting for Restoring Quorum
Koon also praised lawmakers for their participation in recent engagements that preceded Tuesday’s session, particularly a meeting at Ocean View that he credited with helping the House return to legislative business.
The House had faced disruptions amid agitation by reformist lawmakers, raising concerns about the institution’s ability to carry out its legislative responsibilities.
“I must appreciate the way in which you have handled matters in the past few days, leading to successfully having a quorum today to do the Liberian people’s work,” the Speaker said.
He thanked members for their attendance and described their participation as a demonstration of maturity, while encouraging them to maintain the spirit of cooperation.
With the final quarter of the legislative session underway, Koon urged lawmakers to refocus their attention on pending legislative responsibilities, particularly deliberations on the national budget expected before the Legislature.
He warned that the remaining months would require greater productivity and collaboration, stressing that the House must address the needs of constituents while working to restore public confidence.
“We have legislative responsibilities to discharge, constituencies to serve, and public confidence to restore and sustain,” he said.
The Speaker also called on lawmakers to submit comprehensive reports of their constituency activities during the legislative break. He said the reports should document engagements with citizens, progress made on local concerns and challenges requiring the intervention of House leadership.
According to Koon, proper documentation would help the House respond to public assessments of lawmakers’ performance with evidence of their work.
Koon further disclosed that rehabilitation and refurbishment works on some legislative offices and the Main Chamber were nearing completion.
He said plans were being developed to begin rehabilitating and reconstructing the Joint Chamber, which was gutted by fire on December 18, 2024.
The facility hosts major legislative functions, including the President’s annual State of the Nation Address, and its absence has forced the Legislature to secure external venues for events.
Koon appealed to lawmakers to support the restoration project, describing it as a shared institutional responsibility.
The Speaker’s appeal for unity comes at a time when the reformist lawmakers’ concerns have brought renewed attention to internal governance, lawmakers’ benefits and the relationship between House leadership and members.
While Koon has called for dialogue and responsible public engagement, the durability of any resolution will depend on how the outstanding grievances are addressed.
He reaffirmed his commitment to listening to members and providing an environment where their concerns could be raised and addressed fairly.
“Leadership alone cannot build unity. Every member must contribute to the unity we preserve,” he said.
