Montserrado County District #11 Representative Richard N. Koon has a difficult task to prove to his colleagues that he is now the Speaker of that august body.
By Mark N. Mengonfia
Montserrado County District #11 Representative Richard N. Koon has a difficult task to prove to his colleagues that he is now the Speaker of that august body.
Koon who was defeated by Grand Kru County District one lawmaker, Fonati Koffa in the race to the seat of speaker is yet to be consider as the Speaker of the 55th Legislature by his colleagues.
Few months following Koffa election as Speaker, Koon reportedly took on a rebellious posture last year in an attempt to take over as Speaker of that august body. His quest led to the creation of a ‘divided House’ with one group supporting him, Koon while the other lawmakers pledged their loyalty to embattled Speaker, Koffa.
The stalemate resulted to the setting on fire of the Capitol Building which houses the Liberian Senate and the House of Representatives. The alleged arson attack is being investigated by the Liberian National Police with some suspects being sent to court.
Since the deadlock, both Rep. Koon and embattled Speaker Koffa are claiming the speakership of the Republic of Liberia, but the Executive has recognized Rep. Koon as the Speaker while internationally, embattled Speaker Koffa is still being considered as the Speaker.
At home, Rep. Koon is yet to get that recognition even among his colleagues. Tuesday January 21, 2025 at a regular session at the Monrovia City Hall, Montserrado County District 10 Representative, Yekeh Kolubah questioned the authority of Representative Koon.
When the Montserrado County District #10 lawmaker was given the chance to give his unreadiness to vote, he did not addressed Rep. Koon as the Speaker.
Rep. Kolubah said, “Hon. presiding, co-presiding, I will be ready to vote if the document carrying the name, bearing the name of the Representative Montserrado County claiming to be Speaker be removed from this agenda because Richard Koon a speaker and he was not elected by this body.”
His motion was denied by Deputy Speaker, Thomas Fallah but Koluba augured that he (Fallah) was not the ‘movant.
This caused disruption for few minutes but was later brought under control after interventions by some other colleagues.
The battle for who is the legitimate Speaker of the House of Representative ranges on, something that could cause setback to functioning of the first branch of the Liberian government.
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