Published: December 11, 2025
Nimba County District 9 Representative Taa Z. K. Wongbe
MONROVIA – Nimba County District 9 Representative Taa Z. K. Wongbe has sharply criticized the House of Representatives’ decision to add 14 new legislative seats ahead of the 2029 elections, arguing that the move ignores constitutional requirements tied to population data and risks placing politics ahead of law.
Wongbe Questions Constitutionality of New Threshold
On Tuesday, December 9, the House voted to expand the chamber from 73 to 87 members, citing obligations under Article 80 of the 1986 Constitution following the 2022 National Population and Housing Census. But speaking from Nigeria, where he is attending an ECOWAS Parliamentary session, Wongbe said the decision falls short of the constitutional standard.
“While I am currently in Nigeria on regional duty with the ECOWAS Parliament and could not be part of the debate in chambers yesterday, it is still important to make my position clear,” he said in a statement.
Wongbe argued that Article 80 requires lawmakers to establish a threshold based strictly on population figures, not political considerations. “The threshold voted for yesterday does not strictly follow population data, even though it uses the census numbers as a reference point,” he said.
He warned that any adjustment to electoral districts must be driven by demographic changes and existing election laws that guarantee neutrality and fairness. “Pre-assigning seats before the technical reapportionment is done raises constitutional and governance concerns,” he said. “It puts political decisions ahead of the legal process.”
“This Is Not the Time to Expand Government”
The Nimba lawmaker also questioned the economic logic behind expanding the Legislature at a time when Liberia is grappling with declining external support and widespread hardship.
He referenced recent decisions by the United States, Sweden and other development partners to cut or restructure assistance to Liberia, saying the country should be demonstrating fiscal discipline—not increasing the cost of governance.
“Families are struggling and schools, clinics, and farmers need support,” he said. “This is not the season for expanding the cost of government. It is a season for discipline, fairness, and putting the country first.”
Wongbe said proposals such as Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon’s call to reduce lawmakers’ salaries to US$5,000 deserve genuine consideration. “I fully support Senator Dillon’s proposal,” he noted.
Calls for Transparent, Data-Driven Reapportionment
Despite his criticisms, Wongbe said he supports a lawful and transparent reapportionment process once it is anchored firmly in census results and constitutional guidelines.
“I support a constitutional, transparent, population-based reapportionment process—one that follows the law, uses the census, and ensures every Liberian’s vote carries equal weight,” he said. “Liberia deserves decisions grounded in law, responsibility, and common sense, and this is the leadership I am committed to.”
With the House’s vote sending the threshold bill to the Senate for concurrence, the debate over how Liberia redraws its political map—and at what cost—appears far from settled.
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