Montserrado County District 11 Representative, Richard Nagbe Koon, has been elected and officially sworn in as Speaker by the ,Majority Bloc.
He was elected on a white ballot, positioning Rep. Koon to lead the House of Representatives over his rival Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa.
The Lawmaker who was the only rival against “removed” Speaker J. Fonati Koffa during the House’s Elections in January 2023 has now assume the Legislature most powerful position.
While others see this development welcoming, critics believe his election as speaker is unconstitutional and does not represent the true meaning of democracy.
On January 15, Cllr. Fonati Koffa defeated Montserrado County District-Eleven Representative Richard Koon thirty-six to thirty-one votes in a closely contested race on Monday, January 15, 2024.
A total of sixty-seven lawmakers took part in the exercise, with six not participating due to legal challenges to their respective elections at the time.
Monday’s election followed the convening of the first sitting of the 55th National Legislature.
Earlier, the 54th House of Representatives was dissolved, paving the way for the convening of the 55th National Legislature and the immediate holding of an election to replace the outgoing Speaker, Dr. Bhofal Chambers.
Currently, the table has now turned agaiunst Koffa with his rival now taking the height of leadership if the decision of the Majority Bloc remains constant.
