House Speaker Koffa Denounces VP Koung’s Claims as “Distorted Lies”

By: Melvin Flomo

Monrovia, Liberia – Embattled House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has vehemently dismissed recent claims made by Vice President Jeremiah Koung, describing them as “distorted lies and twisted distortions.” The allegations, made during an appearance on Spoon TV, suggested that Koffa negotiated his resignation amid the ongoing political impasse in the Legislature.

In a statement on Sunday, Speaker Koffa refuted Koung’s narrative, maintaining that he never engaged in any negotiation to step down. “At no time did I negotiate with the Vice President nor the President to resign,” Koffa asserted. Instead, he reiterated his stance that legislative normalcy could only be restored by reversing illegal suspensions, reinstating rightful committee leaders, and addressing all grievances during legislative sessions.

The Speaker further accused the Vice President of proposing self-serving conditions that undermined legislative independence. According to Koffa, Koung demanded a “white ballot” for Representative Richard Koon, budget discussions, and committee appointments only after a new speaker had been installed. “I rejected all that,” Koffa declared, adding that no agreement was reached.

Koffa pointed to a subsequent opinion issued by the Minister of Justice, which he claims was politically influenced, as evidence of executive interference. He condemned what he described as efforts to sideline the Legislature’s autonomy and manipulate its leadership.

The embattled Speaker did not mince words when accusing Vice President Koung of masterminding what he labeled an “unconstitutional saga.” He argued that Koung’s public comments on Spoon TV had exposed his central role in the ongoing crisis, undermining efforts to resolve the impasse within the confines of the law.

Despite mounting pressure, Koffa vowed to stand firm in defense of the rule of law. “The executive can continue to ignore the rule of law, but I will not waver,” he declared, underscoring his commitment to preserving legislative integrity in the face of political turbulence.

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