Bility calls Fallah Boakai’s ‘prime minister,’ says deputy speaker wields outsized power

MONROVIA — Nimba County Electoral District No. 7 Rep. Musa Hassan Bility has stirred fresh political controversy by labeling Deputy House Speaker Thomas P. Fallah the “Prime Minister” and “darling boy” of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, claiming Fallah now wields more influence than House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon within the ruling Unity Party administration.

Bility, political leader of the Citizens Movement for Change, made the remarks Wednesday, Jan. 6, during a radio appearance on OK FM in Monrovia.

“I hope Speaker Richard Koon and the Prime Minister, Thomas Fallah, can handle our issues,” Bility said. “Thomas Fallah is more powerful than anybody in the House of Representatives, and I can admit to that.”

Claims of Shifting Power in the House

Bility alleged that real authority within the House increasingly rests with the deputy speaker rather than the speaker, asserting that Fallah exerts significant influence over political and policy decisions—even when Speaker Koon is present.

According to Bility, Fallah’s rise reflects strategic political recalibration following his fierce opposition to Boakai during the 2023 elections, particularly in Lofa County, where tensions between the two camps were once expected to escalate.

“That fight was supposed to produce gas and fire,” Bility said, adding that Fallah has since repositioned himself closer to the center of power.

“He’s now the darling boy of the President of the Republic of Liberia,” he said.

Political Comeback Highlighted

Bility described Fallah’s political recovery as unusual in Liberia’s often unforgiving political landscape, arguing that few politicians have successfully rebounded after clashing openly with a sitting president or ruling party.

“There are few people in this country who can do what Fallah has done,” he said, pointing to Fallah’s proximity to the presidency as evidence of his growing leverage.

Bility said that influence should now be used to stabilize the House of Representatives, which he characterized as deeply divided and increasingly dysfunctional.

Speculation About 2029 Succession

Bility speculated that Fallah could play a central role in the country’s next electoral cycle.

“My only plea to Fallah is that he should use his leverage with the President and the Vice President to resolve some internal issues,” he said.

Bility went further to predict that if President Boakai chooses not to seek reelection in 2029 and endorses Vice President Jeremiah Koung, Fallah could emerge as Koung’s running mate.

Under that scenario, Bility said, Fallah’s political relevance would make him pivotal to resolving the Legislature’s ongoing leadership and credibility crisis.

Criticism of Legislature’s Conduct

Bility also used the radio appearance to criticize the broader conduct of the Legislature, describing it as a national embarrassment and accusing some lawmakers of exploiting public office for personal gain.

“People have abused and misused the name of the Legislature for their own personal benefit and to the detriment of the nation and its people,” he said.

He added that restoring public trust would require fundamental change, vowing to pursue reform should he ever be elected president.

Neither Fallah, Speaker Koon nor the Unity Party leadership had publicly responded to the comments as of publication.