Reported by : Siafa Jallah
IPNews-Monrovia: Members of the Liberian Legislature are expected to resume its 4th session today January 11, with high expectations within the Liberian Senate.
The Upper House will usher in several new members, mostly from the opposition bloc, including, former Deputy Speaker, Prince K. Moye who won as Senator of Bong County during the December 8, 2020 Senatorial Election.
As a mean of filling the vacancy created by Senator Moye, Legislative sources have hinted the Investigative Independent Probe that Election for the Deputy Speaker Post will be conducted during Tuesday’s regular session of the 4th session of the House of Representatives.
Already, the terms for Chairpersons and Co-chairpersons of Statutory and Standing Committees expired as of Today.
Rules 7.4, 5 and 6 mandate the Speaker to Appoint the Chairpersons and Co-chairpersons of Statutory Committees, also Appoint members of Statutory Committees in consultation with the House’s Leadership, Chairpersons and Members of Standing Committees in consultation with the House’s Leadership to serve a period of three years.
With these provisions of the House’s Standing rules, the Election of a Deputy Speaker is vital ahead of a possible reshuffle of the leadership of the House of Representatives by Speaker Bhofal Chambers.
Ahead of Tuesday’s Election, House’s Judiciary Committee Chairman, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa of Electoral District 2, Grand Kru County, ECOWAS Parliament member, Lofa County District #3 Representative, Clarence Massaquoi; Chairman; Commerce Committee chairman Rep. Samuel Kogar (Nimba County District #5); Rep. Moima Briggs-Mensah of Bong County District #6 along with Montserrado County District 4 Representative Rustonlyn S. Dennis and Rep. Cryton Duncan of Electoral District 1, Sinoe County have expressed their intents for the Deputy Speaker Post.
So far, the Opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) have throw their weight behind Representative Clarence Massaquoi, while the Ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) backs the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Cllr. Fonati Koffa.
With these support, the race is possibly between Reps. Koffa and Massaquoi.
Several Lawmakers, who chose not to be named confided in the Independent Probe that Grand Kru County Electoral District # 2 Representative, J. Fonati Koffa has so far has the backing of majority members.
A simple majority votes out of the 73 Members of the Lower House is require to be declared winner.
There are others who strongly believe that an influential Deputy Speaker will help most of the current Representatives in their re-election bids comes 2023, which puts Rep. Koffa in the best position based on his years of influence and connections in and out of Liberia.
During a Press conference on Friday, Speaker Bhofal Chambers admitted that all the candidates have what it takes to be a Deputy Speaker, nothing “ We hope that the best person will be given the power to serve”.
Even though, the Speaker failed to state his support, but as a member of the ruling Party, many believe, he is under obligation to support whoever the CDC endorses for the Deputy Speaker race.
Already, Mr. McCarthy Weh, a Legislative Scholar and Practitioner in a comprehensive analysis between Representatives Koffa and Massaquoi has predicted a win for Cllr. Koffa.
