Fonati Koffa emerges Speaker of Liberia's House of Representatives in a tight race

Koffa-Nylonblee2 — Jonathan Koffa and Karnga-Lawrence

…As Karnga-Lawrence becomes 2^nd female Pro-Tempore

Liberia’s House of Representatives voted on Monday 36-32 in favor of Grand Kru County District No. 2 Representative Johnathan Fonati Koffa as 55^th Speaker of the House, beating his closest ally Richard Nagbe Koon in what is termed as a ‘tight race of the decade’.

A total of 67 lawmakers voted, with the absence of Alphonso Williams whose election results were ordered re-run by the Supreme Court of Liberia, following a heated challenged by out-going Speaker Bhofuo Chambers.

According to The Independent Probe, there still remain the elections of the Deputy Speaker and Chief Clerk, including the appointments of the House’s leadership, following a call off by the newly made speaker.

The newspaper had earlier predicted a presumptive victory for Cllr. J. Johanthan Koff and Nylonblee Karnga-Lawrence, both Houses of the Liberia Legislature.

That prediction made history today.

An hour ago, members of the newly constituted Senate elected The Grand Bassa Senator, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, on a white ballot following a declined-on nomination by former Foreign Minister Gbehzohngar Milton Finley, as the Senate’s 55th President Pro-Tempore’.

Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, now becomes the second female Senator to be elected as President Pro-Tempore, of the Liberian Senate.

Immediately after the vote count, newly elected President Pro-Tempore’ announced a fourteen-member leadership of the Senate.

Those appointed to the Senate’s leadership are: Chair on Executive: James Biney (Maryland), Chair on Foreign Affairs: Abraham Dillon (Montserrado), Chair on Public Works: Albert Chie (Grand Kru), Chair on Judiciary: Augustine Chea (Sinoe), Chair on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget: Prince Moye (Bong), Chair on Defense and Security: Momo Cyrus (Lofa) , Chair on Rules, Order and Administration: Gbleh-bo Brown ( Maryland), and Chair on Education: Nathaniel Mcgill (Margibi).

Others include, Chair on Health: Daba Varpilar (Cape Mount), Chair on Internal Affairs: Prince Johnson (Nimba), Chair on Public Account: Amara Konneh (Gbarpolu) , Senate Representatives to ECOWAS: Edwin Snowe and Alex Tyler (Both of Bomi), and International Parliamentary Union: Francis Dopoe (River Gee) Crayton Duncan (Sinoe).

Prior to today’s votes, both cambers of the Legislature hosted the Flag of Liberia, including the 15 counties flags as a customary symbol passed by Liberia’s founding fathers.

SEE PICTORIAL OF TODAYS HAPPENINGS @CL CAPITOL HILL