IPNEWS: The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Fonati Koffa, has refuted claims that he would obstruct the Boakai-Koung administration’s legislative agenda if he is elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Rep. Koffa (CDC, Electoral District #2, Grand Kru County) is a leading contender in the upcoming House speakership election. So far, his only challenger is Rep. Richard Nagbe Koon of the Unity Party, which is expected to ascend to power.
There are reports that the Deputy Speaker’s bloc is makeup of 43 Representatives while the UP and Alliance’s Bloc comprised 24 Representative. (Up to the 3rd of January, NEC has certified 67 Representatives).
If Koffa is elected, his party, the Coalition for Democratic Change will be the leading opposition party following their narrow loss to the UP.
His critics say as Speaker from the opposition party, Koffa will use his gavel to stall most of the incoming administration’s legislative agenda.
But appearing on Bana FM on Thursday, Rep. Koffa debunked his critics’ claims.
“I am not an obstructionist. I was Madam Sirleaf’s anti-corruption czar in this country. I fought corruption. So, to say the President will bring an anti-corruption bill, and because I am a CDCian, or because I am an opposition speaker, so I am going to obstruct it, it doesn’t make sense… The country is divided, the elections were close. We have to build a unity team to move this country forward and that is what I look forward to,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker said most of the negative things that are said against him are speculative. Liberian politics, he added, is not divided on ideological lines, and almost all of the political parties have the same common interest, and as such, it will be impossible to act in favor of his party at the detriment of the state.
“There is no pathway that I see that will lead me to act out of the interest of Liberia on behalf of a party given that everything else you hear is all politics,” added.
“Everything that you hear is all politics. The very same people who used to say last year that Koffa is an able legislator, Koffa cuts across are the same people now accusing me of being partisans of the CDC. There is nothing like a CDC Speaker. There may be a Speaker who happens to be a member of the CDC. I will be a CDC Speaker. I will be a Speaker of the Republic of Liberia who happens to be a CDCian.”
Rep. Koffa’s track record as a consensus builder is evident. However, with his party set to move into opposition, analysts suggest he might face challenges defeating the ruling party’s candidate.
But quashing that perception, Koffa said the ruling party has not always produced speakers in Liberia. Citing the 52nd and 53rd Legislature, Koffa noted that the Speakers were not members of the ruling Unity Party at that time. But what is important is the mutual relationship that these branches of government build.
“It is the relationship that you forge with the Legislature and the Executive that move the country forward, not the party. Our parties are not based on different ideologies. And as long as we have Liberia as our objective, partisanship doesn’t matter when it comes to legislation.”
Over the past ten years, Koffa has made a steady rise to prominence in the Liberian political landscape. During the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Koffa served as Minister of State without Portfolio. He was later appointed as head of the taskforce that investigated and prosecuted those connected to the Sable Mining corruption scandal.
In 2017, he was elected as Representative of Grand Kru County Electoral District #2. At the 54th Legislature he served as Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary. Three years later, 45 of his colleagues overwhelmingly elected him as Deputy Speaker.
He championed the Domestic Violence Bill, Dual Citizen Bill, the bill calling for the abortion of female genital mutilation (FGM) and a bill promoting Liberian businesses.
Asked why he was contesting the speakership. Rep. Koffa said in life, it is obvious to seek advancement and achievement, adding that life itself is not stagnant. He said his experience on the floor, interpersonal skills, and his ability to move across the aisle makes him the best choice for the speakership position.
‘More than a comfortable majority’
Koffa’s candidature has garnered support from most of his colleagues. Following his reelection in October, over 40 newly and re-elected members of the House of Representatives of the incoming 55th Legislature pledged their support to his speakership bid through a signed resolution.
Recently, in a strong display of support, 41 lawmakers gathered at the Roberts International Airport to give a hearty welcome to him upon his return from the United States and they reaffirmed their support to him.
Koffa, speaking on the show said he is confident that he will win with an overwhelming majority.
“We have the numbers, there are about 38 persons that will form a majority vote. On January 15, we will have the most votes counted. We have more than a comfortable majority to be declared the next Speaker,” he added.
