MONROVIA – The so-called “majority bloc” which has commandeered the House Speaker position acquired by embattled speaker J. Fonati Koffa through a democratic process back in early 2024 – a jungle justice-styled act that has since sent the entire nation restless and drowned in noise of bickering and strife at the 55th National Legislature – is apparently not quitting its scandals soon. Each time the public assumes that everything is ceasing, and a way forward is found, the more the bloc increases its optics of sheer belligerence and stampede. The latest is the suspension of Montserrado County District #10 representative, which the House internal advocacy group, Rule of Law Caucus, has condemned, calling it illegal and dangerous precedent. The Analyst reports.
The Rule of Law Caucus of the House of Representatives is outraged by the suspension of Montserrado County representative Yekeh Kolubah by the House Majority Bloc that voted to take the action last Tuesday.
The “majority bloc” said its decision was based on a report from the House Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration headed by Bong County lawmaker James Kolleh.
It can be recalled River Gee County Representative Johnson Williams complained what he called Kolubah’s unruly and insulting attitude towards the leadership of the House.
Besides Representatives Matthew Joe, Emmanuel Dahn, and Sumo Mulbah who voted against the decision, the majority of “majority bloc” lawmakers supported Kolubah’s suspension.
But the Rule of Law Caucus formed amid endless power struggle following the seizure of House Speaker position from Representative Kofa who won it by election in January 2024, has issued a press release in which it “strongly condemns the illegal and unconstitutional suspension of Representative Yekeh Kolubah”.
“This reckless action, which defies the ruling of the Supreme Court, is yet another blatant disregard for the rule of law and parliamentary procedures,” the release noted.
The Rule of Caucus headed by Nimba County District #7 representative Musa Hassan Bility asserted that “the so-called majority has, once again, arbitrarily imposed a penalty that has no legal basis”, adding, “The term ‘session day’ is nonexistent in the Rules of the House, making today’s decision not only unlawful but also a dangerous precedent that further erodes democratic governance in Liberia.”
The group further noted: “It is important to highlight that today’s illegal sitting failed to meet both the quorum and the required votes to make such a decision legally binding. The meeting, which obtained only 32 persons, did not meet the constitutional threshold required for legislative action on suspension, expulsion, or removal.”
According to the House Rules, the Caucus said, at least 49 members must be present, and 49 members must vote in favor before such a decision can take effect.
“This means that today’s action against Representative Kolubah is not just unlawful but completely null and void,” the group said, calling on the Government of Liberia to take urgent notice of this unconstitutional act and to bring those responsible to order.
The Rule of Law caucus further decried what it sees as the continued violation of established laws, coupled with the government’s acquiescence, something it says “threatens national stability and weakens public confidence in our democratic institutions”.
Said the group further: “Additionally, we put the Minister of Finance on notice: the current sitting body, as it exists, lacks legitimacy and cannot lawfully take action against any member of the House. Under no circumstances should this illegitimate body’s decision be used to justify withholding the salary or benefits of any duly elected representative. Any such attempt would be a direct violation of the law and an endorsement of political impunity.”
The Rule of Law Caucus also reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful and lawful resolution of the ongoing crisis in the House of Representatives, lamenting that its efforts at fostering dialogue and restoring order continue to be “undermined by the reckless actions of our colleagues who seek to fan the flames of division and constitutional breakdown”.
“We call on all democratic forces, civil society organizations, and the Liberian people to stand firm in defense of the rule of law. Liberia cannot afford to descend into lawlessness at the hands of a few who place their interests above the nation’s stability and progress,” the release stressed, adding: “The time to restore order is now. The rule of law must prevail.”
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