—- As Opposition Senators Stage Walkout
IPNEWS: Normal proceedings of the Liberian Senate were Thursday abruptly interrupted when Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and Liberia Maritime Commissioner Lenn Eugene Nagbe made an unexpected appearance during Senate deliberations.
IPNEWS’ Legislative reporter, said while Senate Pro-tempore Albert Chie was presiding, the two high-profile Executive officials entered the chambers and proceeded straight up to where Pro-temp Chie was seated and presiding. The two men whispered in his ear. Seconds after that, Pro-Temp Chie left his seat and handed over the gavel to Montserrado County Senator Saah Joseph before walking out of the session alongside Tweah and Nagbe.
His sudden departure sparked uproar and disruption among Senators citing that their secret chambers had been desecrated by the two senior Executive officials in contravention of the Constitution of Liberia.
Some of the Senators expressed dissatisfaction over the new creeping style of politicking being introduced within the body politics of the country.
Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon didn’t hold back his discontent over the move by the two senior Executive branch officials, stating that such behavior by government officials should not be tolerated.
He stated the action of the two and the coordinating response by the Pro-Tempore to allow such action of the two Executive officials has necessitated a reason for the change in the country’s governing structure to rescue it from total collapse.
Article 3 Liberia is a unitary sovereign state divided into counties for administrative purposes. The form of government is Republican with three separate coordinated branches: the legislative, the Executive, and Judiciary. Consistent with the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances, no person holding office in one of these branches shall hold office in or exercise any of the powers assigned to either of the other two branches except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, and no person holding office in one of the said branches shall serve on any autonomous public agency.
This week Senate Pro-Tempore Albert Chie was among 56 lawmakers who endorsed President George Manneh Weah reelection bid.
President George Manneh Weah on Tuesday, June 13, accepted the endorsement of at least 40 Liberian lawmakers, who had pledged their supports toward his second term bid for the presidency.
In his acceptance speech at his Coalition for Democratic Change’s party Headquarters in Congotown, President Weah told the 56 lawmakers, “Today, I stand before you with profound gratitude and an unwavering belief in our shared vision, as I wholeheartedly accept your resounding endorsement and reaffirmation of my candidacy for re-election as the President of the Republic of Liberia.”
The names of the 56 Lawmakers signing the petition are:
Rep. Acarous Gray, Rep Isaac Roland, Rep Thomas Fallah, Rep Matthew Joe, Rep Julie Wiah, Rep Bishop Mannah Johnson, Rep Rosana Schaack, Rep Dixon Siebo, Rep Haja Fattah Siryon, Rep Joseph Sonwarbi, Rep Gonpue Kargon, Rep Finda Gborie Lassana, Deputy Speaker Fonati Koffa, Rep Matthew Zarzar, Rep Mary Kawor, Rep Mambu Sonnie, Rep Johnson Gwakolo, Rep Marvin Cole Rep Sampson Wiah, Rep Frank Saab Foko, Speaker Bhofal Chamber, Senator Glebo Brown, Senator Augustine Chea, Senator Numene Bartekwa, Senator Emmanuel Nuquay, Senator Morris Saytumah, Senator Simeon Taylor, Senator Zoe Emmanuel Pennue, Senator Marshall Dennis, Protemp Albert Chie, Rep Francis Young, Rep Dixon Seboe, Senator Edwin Snowe, Rep George Samah, Rep Emerson Kamara, Rep Edward Flomo, Rep Marimu Fofana, Rep Vicent Willie, Rep Tiberosa Tapoweth, Rep Ivar Jones, Rep Clarence Gahr, Rep Alfred Koiwood, Senator Joseph Jallah, and Rep Prince Tokpah.
