By Mark N. Mengonfia – mmengnfia@gmail.com
The vacancy created by former Deputy House Speaker, Prince K. Moye is being battled for among members of the House of Representatives as five members have registered to occupy said position.
Due to the crossing over through an election process on December 8, 2020, Prince K. Moye left the space vacant and said position needs to be occupied before the president’s address
The office of the Deputy Speaker was officially pronounced vacant yesterday, January 11, 2021 by House Speaker Bhofal Chambers upon their return from agriculture break.
Making the pronouncement, Speaker Chambers told his colleagues to start all the formalities [campaign] leading to the holding of the election.
Before the official announcement by the Speaker, lawmakers who have interest in the seat already started campaigning among their colleagues.
Hon. Mensah
Names that started popping up include: Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa who represents Grand Kru County district two, Clarence Massaquoi of Lofa County district three, Maima Brigga-Mensah, Bong County district six.
Others include Nimba County District five Representative, Samuel G. Koga and Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis who represents Montserrado County District four.
In brief interviews with the interested lawmakers, they all claimed to be best suited for the position of a Deputy Speaker.
Cllr. Koffa said he knows his ways around and has the ability to lobby while Massaquoi said he has been around the corridors of the Legislature for many years and that he knows the workings of the building.
For the two female lawmakers, they hold the argument that since the formation of Liberia, the legislature has never had a female Speaker or Deputy Speaker indicating that, they, too can best perform like their male counterparts.
For his part, Rep. Samuel G. Koga who was recently named by IREDD as one of the best performing lawmakers during the third Sitting said he has all of what it takes to be a Deputy Speaker of that august body.
The mentioned lawmakers are seriously lobbying with their colleagues to grab the second big seat of the House of Representatives.
The office of the Deputy Speaker operates its own budget and is funded every budget year, whoever that is best suited for the position and wins will definitely take the lucrative budget for the office of Deputy Speaker.
Today, January 12, 2021 is the judgment day for the interested lawmakers as voting is expected to take place to close the vacancy created by Prince K. Moye, the former Deputy Speaker who has been certificated by the National Elections Commission as Senator Elect for Bong County.
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