“I have decided to join my colleagues who have raised grievances against Speaker Koffa, bringing this honorable body into disrepute. These colleagues represent the majority of lawmakers in the House of Representatives and simply cannot be ignored!”
In a dramatic political turn, Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah has defected to the Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives—a group advocating for the removal of Speaker Fonati Koffa.
Fallah, who previously denied being the mastermind behind efforts to oust Speaker Koffa amid allegations from members of the Pro-Koffa Bloc, has now confirmed his role as the “Judas Iscariot” in the Speaker’s fight to retain his position.
To the surprise of many Liberians, Fallah presided over a “rebel” session held by the Anti-Koffa Bloc in the Joint Chambers of the Legislature on Thursday.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Speaker Fallah called on Speaker Koffa and colleagues on all sides to embrace dialogue.
“I urge Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and my colleagues on all sides to come together, engage in open dialogue, and restore unity to our House,” Fallah urged.
Addressing concerns over his loyalty to the Congress for Democratic Change, Fallah insisted that he has never betrayed the CDC and has no intention of doing so.
“In my nineteen years of membership with the CDC…I have NEVER ‘betrayed’ my party, and I do not intend to do so, ever.”
Both Fallah and Koffa are members of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). The party has since rallied around Speaker Koffa, calling on party lawmakers to ensure he remains the Speaker of the 55th Legislature. This stance followed a meeting between CDC representatives and former President George Weah.
Fallah reiterated his commitment to both his party and the trust of the Liberian people.
“As Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and a proud member of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), I am deeply committed to upholding both my party’s principles and the trust of the Liberian people.”
Political analysts suggest that Fallah’s defection to the Majority Bloc reduces Speaker Koffa’s chances of retaining his position.
Meanwhile, Speaker Koffa was unable to hold a session on Thursday due to a lack of quorum for the fifth consecutive time. There are now 44 members in the Majority Bloc, while Koffa has the support of only 29—falling short of the 37 members required to conduct House business.
