Liberia News: Plans To Unseat Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence?

CAPITOL HILL–With no end in sight to the current nightmare at the House of Representatives regarding the removal of House Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa despite several calls and actions for the rebellious lawmakers to rescind their decision, it is being alleged that the Liberian Senate is on the verge of sliding into similar removal upheaval of Senate Pro Tempore, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence.

Representative Yekeh Kolubah of Montserrado County 10^th District disclosed that about 17 out of the 30 Senators of the Liberian Senate have appended their signatures to a resolution seeking the dethronement of Senator Karnga-Lawrence as Pro Tempore of the Senate. This paper could not independently verify Rep. Kolubah’s claims, but those have been following his disclosure of issues have indicated that most of his information often comes true.

This paper learned that in May of this year he made similar claims that some lawmakers were signing resolution to remove Speaker Koffa, but the information was taken for granted by the Speaker and other lawmakers supporting him.

The lawmaker, one of several lawmakers still standing with the under-Pressure Speaker Koffa amid the removal storm, told reporters Monday at his Capitol Building Office that a good number of Senators has signed the resolution to get rid of the Pro Tempore.

Saying Vice President Jeremiah Koung as the ring-leader behind the plans to oust the Pro Tempore and without providing reasons for the alleged planned removal, tough-talking Rep. Kolubah named some of the alleged signees as Senator Prince Moye of Bong County, James Biney of Maryland County, Crayton Duncan of Sinoe County, and others.

He labelled the Senators alleged to have signed a resolution as self-seeking characters who are dancing to the whims and caprices of the Vice President Koung.

What could be the motives behind such action at the Senate when similar crisis at the House of Representatives is yet to see any light of resolution despite several intervention efforts, including the ruling of the Justice-In-Chambers of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Associate Justice Yeamie Gbeisay, is the question that is begging answers.

It can be recalled that Vice President Koung, in a communication to the Pro Tempore some times ago, took exception to the way she was proceeding in conducting the affairs of the Senate, not disclosing agendas or communications from the Executive on pertinent issues meant for Senate inquest and input, to him or his office in his capacity as President of the Senate before they are brought for discussion.