MONROVIA – In the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling that reaffirmed J. Fonati Koffa as the legitimate Speaker of the House of Representatives, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has signaled a readiness to work with any group in the House that holds quorum.
In a nationally broadcast address on Thursday, President Boakai declared that his administration would prioritize the functionality of government above the ongoing leadership dispute engulfing the Legislature. “Fellow Liberians, our Constitution and the Supreme Court have defined what constitutes a quorum for the conduct of business in the Legislature. We intend to vigorously uphold this vital principle of our constitutional democracy,” the President stated. “We will continue to work with the quorum that will ensure the full functioning of our government.”
This pronouncement comes just 24 hours after the Supreme Court delivered a decisive opinion invalidating the election of Representative Richard Koon as Speaker and nullifying all legislative actions undertaken by his faction—referred to by the Court as a “self-styled majority bloc.” The ruling reaffirmed Koffa’s constitutional authority and slammed the conduct of parallel legislative sessions as unconstitutional.
While President Boakai’s speech acknowledged the Supreme Court’s April 23 ruling, his emphasis on quorum—irrespective of who leads—has been widely interpreted as tacit validation of Koon’s faction, which has consistently met the constitutional requirement of simple majority attendance since the onset of the impasse.
Koon’s Faction: Numerically Dominant, Legally Disqualified
Representative Koon, supported by more than 40 lawmakers claims legitimacy based on numerical strength. However, the Supreme Court, citing Articles 33 and 49 of the 1986 Constitution, ruled that quorum must not only reflect a numerical majority but must also be presided over by the duly elected Speaker or, in their absence, the Deputy Speaker.
“Any action or sitting by the majority to the exclusion of the Speaker presiding while he is present and available is unconstitutional and without the appeal of the law,” the Court held. In its final judgment, the Court went further to nullify legislative actions enacted by the Koon-led bloc.
Koon, meanwhile, has rejected the ruling in its entirety, accusing the Court of overreach and declaring that the Legislature will not adhere to what he termed an “audacious intrusion” into its internal affairs.
Boakai’s Position Raises Eyebrows
President Boakai’s statement has stirred unease among constitutional scholars and opposition politicians, many of whom argue that his posture may embolden defiance against the judiciary. Critics contend that by choosing to work with any group that meets quorum—regardless of who presides—the President risks undermining the authority of the Court and setting a precedent for selective constitutional adherence.
Former President George Weah in his response to the Supreme Court ruling urged Boakai to uphold the rule of law. “This ruling is not merely a legal decision; it is a crucial affirmation of the rule of law,” Weah said. “Any attempt to undermine or dismiss this ruling threatens the very foundation of our nation.”
Weah’s remarks echoed the sentiments of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which, ahead of the ruling, had cautioned the Liberian government and lawmakers to respect the final decision of the judiciary. “The rule of law must be upheld,” ECOWAS emphasized in a March 28 statement following a high-level political mission to Monrovia.
ECOWAS, Ghana, and the International Spotlight
ECOWAS’ mission, led by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, implored Liberian leaders to abide by the Court’s ruling when he visited in March. Similarly, Ghanaian Speaker Alban Bagbin, during a March 14 engagement with Liberian lawmakers, emphasized that democracy must be guided by adherence to legal frameworks.
“Democracy is about agreeing to disagree,” Bagbin said. “It is about the rule of law, which we have collectively agreed to uphold. This framework must guide our actions.”
Yet even as he speaks of unity, critics say the President must take a definitive stance that aligns with the Supreme Court ruling. Anything short of that, they argue, risks weakening the very institutions meant to safeguard Liberia’s young democracy.
As this political and constitutional puzzle unfolds, all eyes remain on Capitol Hill—and on the President. Whether he chooses to enforce the Court’s mandate or continue navigating the gray space of political expediency may well define the course of his presidency.
Cllr. Koffa on Wednesday called for reconciliation and unity in the House of Representatives, just after the Supreme Court affirmed his leadership and ended a prolonged legislative power struggle.
In a speech posted on social media, Cllr. Koffa urged his colleagues on both sides of the divide to come together and resolve the political impasse that has crippled the lower chamber of the Legislature since last October.
“We recognize your just grievances and call on you to join us in ending the stalemate at Capitol Hill,” Koffa said, directing his message to the faction of lawmakers who have challenged his speakership for months. “Come, let us reason together.”
Koffa welcomed the ruling as a victory for the rule of law and said his leadership would honor the judgment as final.
“The Court has ruled, effectively recognizing that our leadership holds the constitutional mandate of the First Branch of Government,” he said. “We welcome that ruling.”
Cllr. Koffa announced plans to reach out to Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and Rep. Richard Koon to establish a joint reconciliation and transitional committee aimed at healing divisions and moving the House forward.
“I am not unmindful that reconciliation and progress may require me to make the ultimate sacrifice, and I am not unwilling to pay that price,” he said. “But please, let us show this nation how democracies are built.”
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