MONTROVIA – The House-Secretly Called the “majority bloc” suffered a major setback in its continued efforts to eliminate speaker J. Fonati Koffa after a confused press conference that revealed contradictions that deepened concerns about its alleged support and legitimacy.
During the live streamed event, the physical number revealed that there were only 31 lawmakers, contradicting Bullock’s claim of 37 participants. Things became more confusing when the clerk of the house, tasked with recording absentee members, fluctuated between the numbers 10, 12, and 14.
Critics quickly pointed out the contradiction. If there are 37 people in fact and 14 people absent, then that would be 51 members instead of 49. Even with newly elected lawmakers Thomas Romeo Quioh and Emmanuel Dern included, observers note that the actual strength of the block is close to 45 – a constitutional majority (49 of the 73 still need to be removed).
Their reliability was further hit with reports that Bernard “DJ Blue” Benson and Austin B. Taylor had fled from the block. Meanwhile, the names of Taa Wonbe and Moima Briggs Mensa were listed as members of the block despite their public distance from the movement.
“Neither individuals, institutions, nor governments have surpassed the will or interests of people. When I ask me what people’s interests are, my answer is:
“It is time to restore the honor, dignity and severity of the Congress, and I encourage all legislators.
Senator Taa Wongbe took to his Facebook page and said, “Silence is golden. One thing about me, I always make clear my position. Keep your guessing. Focus on my Ecowas duties. May 13th is coming…”
“Why are they forge their numbers?” Asked by one political observer, see the additional allegations that the BLOC may have formed a resolution signature to boost the majority’s claims.
The unfolding drama has intensified an already vulnerable political crisis, and the situation escalated on Monday with bold acts of rebellion from Rep. Richard Nagbe Kuhn. In direct contradictory to the Supreme Court’s decision, Kuhn ordered the installation of steel doors at the entrance to the main legislative chamber of commerce, which was recognized as justified by the court – the speaker effectively blocked access.
The move follows a series of actions aimed at seizing control of Kuhn and the house, but despite the Supreme Court finds that all activities under Kuhn’s leadership, including his self-declared speech, are unconstitutional. The court emphasized that the session held in Coffa’s absence had no legal validity while he was able to attend and serve.
Kuhn’s rebellion is consistent. Before the court’s decision, he ordered a change of lock in the main room, forcibly removing Coffa’s belongings from the speaker’s office and setting up himself. He also directed police and staff to break into Rep. Yeke Kolba’s car after he parked in the reserved space for the Capitol speakers.
Now, the chambers sealed with steel doors were the focus of parallel power grabs launched in October 2024, when a majority of blocks had moved into the joint chambers and held unauthorized sessions to declare that speaker seats were open. Afterwards, despite losing the official House Speaker’s election to Kofa in January 2024, Koon was set up as leader.
The block, allegedly supported by elements of the enforcement department, quickly stripped the security coffa, took control of House bank accounts, suspended loyalty and moved to assume power over draft national budgets. These actions were later overturned by the Supreme Court by a landmark ruling by Chief Justice She A Neen G. Yuo.
The court found that the Speaker could not be removed while it existed and functioned, and declared Bullock’s case illegal. Still, Kuhn refused the sentence as a violation of legislative independence and vowed to continue leading the House.
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“The Supreme Court opinion or judgment cannot be expunged or erased this resolution,” Kuhn said, referring to the controversial document declaring the removal of Kofa. “The whole thing shall continue… without respect or respecting the opinions and judgments of the Supreme Court.”
Bullock’s continued rebellion sparked a warning of a full-scale constitutional crisis. Some members, including Bonn County Assemblyman James Kore, have increased the likelihood of each Supreme Court judge.
As standoffs deepen, many Liberians are calling for a return to the rule of law and respect for the constitutional order. The coming days may prove important in determining whether the legislative sector can be stable or whether partisan ambitions will further erode the foundations of Liberia’s fragile democracy.
