The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa has authorized the distribution of the draft 2025 National Budget to all 73 members of the House, aiming to facilitate legislative scrutiny amidst a tense political stalemate.
Montserrado County District 16 Representative Dixon Seboe confirmed the directive during a briefing on Tuesday, stating that the Chief Clerk had formally notified the House of the Budget’s submission by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in compliance with the Public Financial Management (PFM) Law.
While the budget distribution is a key step in the legislative review process, Seboe noted that progress remains hindered by the House’s inability to secure a quorum under Speaker Koffa’s embattled leadership. The situation is further complicated by the controversial handling of the budget submission, with the Executive bypassing Speaker Koffa and presenting the document directly to the Chief Clerk’s office.
In the Chief Clerk’s absence, the Deputy Chief Clerk delivered the Budget to the Majority Bloc, intensifying the already fraught political climate. Speaker Koffa’s camp has criticized this action as a breach of legislative protocol, heightening tensions between the rival factions within the House.
The House of Representatives is currently divided into two blocs: the Minority Bloc, led by Speaker Koffa, and the Majority Bloc, which awaits a Supreme Court ruling to determine its legitimacy. The Majority Bloc previously declared Speaker Koffa’s position vacant and controversially elected Representative Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker, further deepening the divide.
Speaker Koffa’s inability to convene sessions due to a lack of quorum has stalled legislative activities, including critical deliberations on the national Budget. Meanwhile, the Majority Bloc has refrained from proceeding with legislative business following a Supreme Court stay order issued in response to Koffa’s petition.
This standoff poses significant risks to Liberia’s fiscal stability. Without timely approval of the 2025 budget, government operations face potential disruption, jeopardizing critical programs and services.
The Supreme Court is set to deliver its ruling on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, in the leadership dispute. The decision will determine whether Speaker Koffa retains his position or if Representative Koon’s controversial election will be upheld.
During oral arguments on November 27, 2024, Speaker Koffa’s legal counsel, Cllr. Arthur T. Johnson, argued that the Majority Bloc’s actions were unconstitutional, citing violations of the House’s standing rules and the 1986 Constitution. He urged the Court to nullify the bloc’s actions, warning that allowing such precedent would erode constitutional safeguards for political gain.
The Majority Bloc, represented by Cllr. H. Varney Sherman countered this by invoking the doctrine of separation of powers, arguing that the House had constitutional authority to remove its Speaker and followed due process in Koffa’s case. Sherman defended Koon’s election as legitimate and compliant with House rules.
The justices raised critical questions about the legality of the Majority Bloc’s actions, including whether their meetings in Koffa’s absence met quorum requirements. Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh and Associate Justice Yusif D. Kaba emphasized the importance of procedural integrity in determining the case.
As Liberians await the Supreme Court’s decision, the unresolved leadership crisis overshadows the budget process. The question on everyone’s mind is whether the 2025 national budget will finally be deliberated, a critical issue that could shape the country’s economic stability.
The outcome of the Supreme Court ruling will not only resolve the leadership dispute but also determine the immediate future of Liberia’s legislative operations. Liberians anxiously await clarity on the nation’s political and fiscal trajectory.
