Capitol Hill, Monrovia – In a move highlighting concerns over constitutional governance and executive authority, Montserrado County District #7 Representative, Hon. Emmanuel Dahn, has formally requested the appearance of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Francies Sakila Nyumalin, Sr., before the House of Representatives’ leadership.
The lawmaker’s request, submitted through an official communication to the House’s leadership, follows growing public unease surrounding a reported directive from Minister Nyumalin ~ who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Identification Registry (NIR). The directive in question allegedly reassigns Mr. Alphonso Belleh, a presidential nominee for the position of Deputy Director General for Administration at the NIR, to a different post: Manager for Research, Policy, and Development Planning.
Rep. Dahn argues that such a move, undertaken in the absence of any formal revocation or withdrawal of the nomination by the President of Liberia, may amount to an overreach of the constitutional authority assigned to the Executive. Article 56(a) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia grants the President exclusive authority over appointments to public office.
“In the spirit of transparency and constitutional governance, it is prudent that the Minister of Internal Affairs appear before this august body to clarify the basis for his actions,” Hon. Dahn stated in his communication. “This will not only address public concern but also reaffirm the constitutional balance of powers and procedures regarding executive appointments.”
The lawmaker’s call comes amid heightened national attention to the checks and balances among Liberia’s governing institutions. If Minister Nyumalin is summoned, he will be expected to explain whether his reported action aligns with legal and constitutional norms or if it infringes upon the President’s exclusive appointment powers.
The House of Representatives has yet to confirm the date for the Minister’s appearance.
