Former: President Weah to Meet with CDC Lawmakers Today Amid Alleged Conspiracy to Unseat Fonati Koffa

Monrovia – As the effort to remove House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa gains momentum, reports indicate that former President George Weah has summoned Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) lawmakers to a special meeting.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Former President Weah is reportedly furious with some CDC lawmakers accused of conspiring to oust Speaker Koffa. Sources told FrontPageAfrica that Weah views this as a dangerous political move that could further weaken the CDC. Less than a year ago, the party controlled both chambers of the Legislature and the Executive. Now, having lost the presidency and the Senate Pro Tempore position, the CDC’s hold on power is reduced to the Speakership, which Weah is maneuvering to protect.

Keeping the promise

Speaker Koffa was elected on a promise to initiate reforms in the House, including a key commitment to audit the Legislature. The General Auditing Commission (GAC) has already begun the process. While new lawmakers are enthusiastic about the audit, others have voiced strong opposition, vowing to resist it. Sources reveal that prominent current and former members of the House, including Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah, Senator Prince Moye, and Vice President Jeremiah Koung, are against the audit. All served as either Chairman or Co-Chairman of the House’s Ways and Finance Committee and fear that the audit could damage their 2029 election prospects, according to report.

“This was expected. Once the Speaker announced the audit, we knew there would be serious resistance,” said a lawmaker who spoke on condition of anonymity. The trio has not repsonded to this latest allegation. However, Deputy Speaker Fallah has consistently said he has no intention to remove Speaker Koffa.

Power Struggle

FrontPage Africa has learned that Deputy Speaker Fallah, the longest-serving member of the House, is unhappy with his exclusion from key decisions. Fallah has served since 2006, first as a representative for Montserrado’s District #5, and now for Lofa’s District #1.

According to legislative sources, central to this conflict is the push by some CDC lawmakers, including Fallah, to remove Rep. Dixon Seboe as Chair of the Ways, Means & Finance Committee. Fallah, who held the position during the 54th Legislature, reportedly wants influence over who chairs the committee, which oversees financial reviews, including the national budget.

UP’s Interest in the Speakership

Amid the internal CDC discord, the ruling Unity Party (UP) is poised to exploit the tensions between Rep. Fallah, Speaker Koffa, and other CDC lawmakers. According to sources, Vice President Jeremiah Koung, a key figure in the UP, sees the removal of Speaker Koffa as both a symbolic and substantive blow to Weah’s influence ahead of 2029. Koung believes that losing the Speakership would further weaken the CDC, already fragmented after its 2023 losses.

Former President George Weah is reportedly furious with some CDC lawmakers allegedly conspiring to remove House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. Sources told FrontPage Africa the President views this as a dangerous political move that could further weaken the party, which, less than a year ago, controlled both chambers of the Legislature and the Executive. Now, after losing the presidency and the Senate Pro Tempore position, the CDC’s hold on power is reduced to the Speakership.

To entice disaffected CDC members, FrontPageAfrica has learned that the UP-power brokers are promising lucrative positions, including the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, to key CDC lawmakers. Although the committee is currently led by Rep. Dixon Sebo, the faction being courted by Koung feels that Seibo and Koffa are not closely aligned with the CDC leadership. Koung aims to divide the CDC, particularly between those who still support Weah’s leadership and those looking beyond him.

Koung, likely the UP’s candidate for 2029, is rumored to be contemplating an alliance with some CDC members, potentially involving a CDC figure on the UP ticket to dilute Weah’s base. If successful in removing Koffa, Koung would control the Legislature’s financial apparatus, a crucial strategic advantage.

Can the UP’s Plan Succeed?

Political analysts view the plan to oust Speaker Koffa as challenging, even with an alleged $600,000 being spent to sway lawmakers. Removing the Speaker requires at least 37 votes, and many CDC lawmakers are reportedly hesitant. However, it remains to be seen how much influence Koung can exert. Koffa is seen as a political fighter capable of mobilizing support to fend off this alleged coup attempt.

Insiders suggest that the UP cabal might argue to President Boakai that ousting Koffa is necessary to disrupt the CDC’s momentum, especially given the UP’s challenging first year in office.

Speaker Koffa: A Political Fighter

Speaker Koffa could rely on his strong ties to former President Weah and appeal to the CDC base to pressure lawmakers not to undermine their own party.

FrontPage Africa has learned that Weah has called all CDC lawmakers to a special meeting aimed at resolving the internal crisis. Sources say Weah views the Speakership as too important to lose over internal disputes. He reportedly blamed the CDC’s narrow loss in 2023 on infighting and has urged party leaders to prioritize unity.

Weah is particularly unhappy with the alleged plot to unseat Koffa. In the past 24 hours, the former president has reportedly chastised lawmakers believed to be behind the plan and intends to address the issue during the upcoming meeting.

FrontPage Africa is closely monitoring developments.

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