-UP to hinder Koffa’s Speakership bid, questions his nationality in court
It has been reported that the Unity Party is contemplating on legally challenging the citizenship of Deputy Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, in the coming days.
Liberia’s Deputy Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, is one of the two candidates in the Speakership election that is slated for Monday, January 15, 2024.
The report says UP stalwarts, Cllr. Cooper Kruah, Cllr. Johnny Momo and impeached Associate Justice Kaneh Ja’neh, consulted by the Party to file a writ against the deputy speaker, with skepticism about his citizenship.
The Secretary General of the Unity Party, Mr. Amos Tweh, recently confirmed to a local daily that the party is doing all it can to obtain the post (Speakership), with its candidate Richard Nagbe Koon. To ensure that this works best for them, the UP has considered challenging the Deputy Speaker’s citizenship as one of the options.
“We’re in an election, and we’re strategizing. It’s either we go to the election and win him or we find a way to stop him. So, we are reviewing all our options,” Tweh revealed.
Considering the significance of the post (Speakership) to the Executive, and the fact
that Koffa has been undoubtedly displayed as the favorite candidate for the Speakership, the Unity Party in recent days has been doing all it can to turn the table around.
Earlier this week, President-elect Joseph Boakai invited all members of the House of Representatives to his Rehab residence for a meeting. The meeting was held amid speculation that the President-elect allegedly threatened members of the House, that they would not receive any development funds for their district if they failed to vote for Rep. Koon.
It was also reported that President-elect Boakai threatened that he would deny lawmakers access to him if they do not vote for Rep. Koon as Speaker.
Mid Thursday, January 11, 2024, Grand Kru County District #1 Representative disclosed that the President-elect allegedly promised each of the 73 legislators a whopping twenty-five thousand United States dollars to support their respective districts.
Bahway: “I was there when the old man made it clear that he will be giving twenty-five thousand to each individual so that they will see a reason to support their districts because district dwellers will be coming to Montovia and some will be going back so you are there to serve them.”
He made the disclosure when he spoke to the press Thursday, January 11, 2024, on his support to Richard Koon for the House speakership of the House of Representatives of the 55th National Legislature. Bahway: “I have not received it but I will receive it. I don’t think it’s a bribe, he only spoke about it.”
