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Othello Sarweh Nimely
Grand Gedeh County Representative Jacob Debee has alarmed over what he terms a divided House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, accusing the Speaker of sidelining lawmakers who did not support him during the recent speaker election crisis.
Speaking as a guest on a nighttime radio program on Prime FM recently, Representative Debee alleged that the Speaker’s leadership has been marked by exclusion, favoritism, and breaches of the House’s own standing rules.
“The Speaker has refused to appoint any of us who didn’t support him to any committees,” Debee lamented. “He said he was calling for reconciliation, but what we are seeing is hate and division among colleagues.”
Debee further accused Speaker Koon of violating the House of Representatives’ Rules on Committee Assignments, which stipulate that no lawmaker should chair more than two committees or serve as co-chair on more than three.
“He is breaking the rules. The House rules are clear that no one should hold more than two chair positions or be co-chair of more than three committees,” Debee emphasized, calling on his colleagues to ensure fairness and transparency in leadership.
The Grand Gedeh lawmaker’s comments come amid growing concerns about disunity and internal strife within the lower house of the Liberian Legislature.
The House recently reconvened for its third quarter session of 2025, overshadowed by controversies and corruption allegations raised by Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah.
During the first sittings, tensions escalated after Representative Kolubah engaged in a heated verbal exchange with Speaker Koon, prompting the Speaker to instruct the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove him and others from the chamber for disorderly conduct during plenary.
The latest accusations by Representative Debee add to a string of incidents that paint a picture of deep divisions within the 55th Legislature, with fears that such internal rifts could undermine the body’s ability to address pressing national issues.
Efforts to reach the house press bureau for comments on Representative Debee’s allegations proved unsuccessful up to press time.
As the session continues, many Liberians are watching closely to see whether the House leadership can bridge the growing divide and refocus on its legislative responsibilities to the people.