Monrovia — A bloc of influential lawmakers operating under the banner “The 55th Legislative Reformist Movement” is escalating pressure on the leadership of the House of Representatives, signaling plans to boycott the opening of the next legislative session and the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), while openly threatening the removal of House leaders.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
According to information obtained from a highly placed source, the group—largely made up of members of the former Majority Bloc that supported the rise of Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon—held its second strategy meeting on December 24, 2025, in Rehab Community. There, members reaffirmed their decision to stay away from the official opening of the House scheduled for January, as well as the President’s annual address.
The meeting reportedly drew 24 lawmakers in person, with several others participating by phone while on constituency break. Participants raised what they described as deep concerns over the leadership style of Speaker Koon, Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, and the heads of the Ways, Means and Finance Committee and the Rules, Order and Administration Committee.
“Those guys are joking with us. They think we are stupid, but let them watch and see,” one lawmaker is quoted as saying. “The first thing we will do is deny the Speaker session on the opening day. Second, we will not attend the President’s State of the Nation Address.”
The lawmaker further warned that the current Speaker should not underestimate the resolve of the group. “If we could remove Speaker Koffa, then who is he? Let him watch and see,” the source added.
Another member of the group, who requested anonymity, said there is growing dissatisfaction within the House over what lawmakers consider improper treatment of Central Administration staff, personal staffers, and Plenary Secretariat employees in relation to recent salary adjustments.
Lawmakers also expressed concern about delays in the payment of civil servants’ salaries during the Christmas season, arguing that the situation deprived many families of the joy traditionally associated with the holidays.
A “Blank-Page Budget”
The Reformist Movement’s actions come amid mounting frustration following the passage of the 2026 National Budget. Members contend that the budget was approved without clear details on allocations affecting individual constituencies, prompting them to label it a “blank-page budget.”
According to the group, many lawmakers were not adequately briefed on constituency-specific budget lines and program details before passage. Subsequent internal budget review sessions, they say, uncovered discrepancies between figures approved by the Legislature and those later circulated publicly.
The movement argues that these inconsistencies raise serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the Legislature’s oversight role.
The lawmakers say they intend to formally engage House leadership to demand corrective measures that ensure fairness, inclusivity, and equitable consideration of constituency development priorities. However, they warn that failure to address these concerns could prompt “radical” political action.
Warning to House Leadership
The group has issued a stark warning that continued inaction by House leadership could trigger a fresh power struggle at Capitol Hill.
“We have the required numbers to perfect any legislative action if the need arises,” a member said.
The Reformist Movement claims it commands more than the constitutionally required votes to initiate the removal of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, and the heads of key committees if what it describes as governance lapses and budgetary errors are not corrected.
While insisting that their stance is not motivated by personal ambition, the group says it remains committed to legislative integrity, transparency, and the protection of constituents’ interests. Dialogue, they stress, remains their preferred option—but all constitutional remedies, including leadership removal, remain firmly on the table.
The post Liberia: House Showdown Looms – ‘Reformist Lawmakers’ Plan Session, SONA Boycott and Threaten Leadership Ouster appeared first on FrontPageAfrica.
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