By Festus Poquie
A powerful coalition of lawmakers is spending nearly $2 million to remove Speaker Fondati Koffa from his position in the House of Representatives.
This select group, often referred to as the “House Cabal,” includes influential politicians such as Vice President Jeremiah Koung and several ranking senators who have long controlled the national budgeting process earning foutunes.
As Koffa spearheads an anti-corruption and transparency agenda, aiming for sweeping financial reforms, the cabal sees this move as a direct threat to its lucrative influence over appropriations.
Their dominance in the budgeting arena has reportedly earned its members millions over the past decade, and they fear that an impending financial audit could expose potential illegal dealings, endangering their financial stronghold and political ambitions.
With the House probably the only public institution not audited since the return of democratic governance in 2006, the organization is ripe for scrutiny that could uncover shady financial practices. The Vice President, who has political aspirations for the presidential race in 2029, stands to lose significantly if any wrongdoing is unearthed.
Since his entry into the House of Representatives in 2012, Koung has been a key figure in various committees, aligning with powerful allies, including Senators Emmanuel Nuquay and Thomas Fallah.
Following recent presidential elections, Koung’s partnership with the Unity Party had initially raised expectations for a dominant role in governance. However, with current President Boakai firmly in control, Koung finds himself with diminishing power.
On Thursday, a column of lawmakers, allegedly led by Deputy Speaker Fallah and Senator Moye, unveiled a resolution to oust Koffa just as he pushed for the much-needed audit. Allegations suggest that each lawmaker supporting the resolution received around $25,000 to back the removal effort.
The coup appears to have been thwarted, as the coalition did not receive the expected backing from the President, leaving their plans unfulfilled—for now.
