Speaker J. Fonati Koffa is facing significant opposition from within his own party and entrenched lawmakers as he champions progressive reforms and transparency in the Liberian Legislature. Since assuming the role of Speaker of the 55th Legislature, Koffa has made it his mission to modernize and reform the House of Representatives, focusing particularly on initiating a comprehensive audit of the House—an institution that has not been audited since 1989.
This move has sparked resistance from the CDC contingent within the lower house, who are now orchestrating his removal. The proposed audit is central to Koffa’s reform agenda, aiming to uncover and address decades of financial mismanagement and corruption. Despite the backlash, Koffa’s popularity has surged due to his no-nonsense leadership style and unwavering commitment to accountability and transparency.
In his second term as a representative for Grand Kru, having secured his seat in both 2017 and 2023, Speaker Koffa’s push for a legislative audit is seen as a direct challenge to the status quo. His alignment with President Boakai has further alienated him from CDC hardliners who are believed to be the masterminds behind the move to oust him.
Calls for a comprehensive audit of the lower house have been echoed by freshman lawmakers like Musa Hassan Bility and Emmanuel Dahn, who support Koffa’s transparency agenda. During his campaign for Speaker, Koffa emphasized the need for an audit to promote accountability, a promise that has now placed him at odds with those who prefer to maintain the opaque practices of the past. Speaker Koffa also promised to reform the House by challenging the status quo and has already taken significant steps, such as cleaning up the payroll. However, his push for a more accountable Legislature might be what ultimately gets him into trouble.
Saharaa News has learned that numerous shady deals has occurred at the Legislature over the years, and an audit could potentially implicate current and former CDC lawmakers. This fear of exposure is driving the opposition against Koffa’s reforms. The audit threatens to reveal entrenched corruption and misuse of funds, making it a contentious issue among those who have benefited from the lack of oversight.
An anonymous source within the House stated, “Speaker Koffa’s push for transparency is unprecedented. He’s willing to risk his position to bring about necessary changes. This has ruffled many feathers, especially among those who have a lot to lose if an audit goes through.”
The House of Representatives, now predominantly made up of opposition Congress for Democratic Change members, contrasts with the Senate, which remains under the control of the ruling establishment and its allies. In this politically charged environment, Speaker Koffa’s progressive stance and determination to bring about transparency continue to stir controversy and resistance within the Legislature.
