Nimba County District #9 Representative—Taa Zogbe Kartoe Wongbe, has expressed disappointment in the conduct of House Speaker—Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa over the manner in which he has allowed himself to be remote controlled by the Executive branch of government.

In a communication on his social media page, Representative Wongbe said the conduct of the Speaker is extremely strange and runs contrary to his campaign promises.

See letter below:

Dear Honorable Speaker Hon Cllr J Fonati Koffa,

Greetings from Abuja! I am reminded of this picture during your Speakership election, where I hustled additional votes for you right on that floor to help you clinch the Speakership position you enjoy today.

Hon. Speaker, let me remind you that I served as chairman for your Bloc to become Speaker. I put my neck on the line and was insulted on SPOON FM as I went to defend you. In Nimba, folks were on the radio insulting me because I chose you. I have been nothing but loyal and committed, but I will not be a sycophant. You promised to be different and that’s what we expect.

So, as promised, I am putting you on notice that Week 1 of my advocacy for you to do the right thing starts Monday. I will keep pushing you for the rest of the year if I have to, in order for you to do the right thing and be the leader you promised to be.

Hon. Speaker, I have consistently engaged you privately to be the leader you said you would be, but my attempts have gone on infertile grounds. I have done the same in our 55th group chat and you sent your stooges and minions to insult me and call me names. You also called me a rebel for being bold to stand up to you. You also threatened in our group chat to take my leadership position because I am holding you accountable. You even insulted me yesterday and levied all sorts of false accusations against me yesterday, including calling Hon. Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. my new political leader because I was calling you to order so I have no other options but to bring this to the public.

I have few counts that you need to address:

1. Conniving with the Executive: You promised to hold the Executive accountable as an opposition Speaker and to be independent, however we are learning that you are in bed with the Executive as a consultant to the Minister of State and the President. This compromises you and dilutes your independence, and we must know the details.

2. Budget Alterations by MFDP: We are hearing about budget alterations by the MFDP after the approved budget and nothing has been done. We are seeing an apparent 4.7M budget line shifting and 20M that was taken from the budget to deal with presidential projects. This is gross disregard for the LAW and you are presiding over this as a lawyer. We need to understand this and the appropriate action!

3. House’s Audit: You promised transparency and a full audit of the House. To date, ZERO! People are now assuming that you are protecting the former Speaker or yourself and other people. Hon. Speaker, why has the audit stalled?

4. Reckless Statement: The proximity you enjoy with the President allowed you to boldly say to him in front of the leadership of the House, Senate, Executive, and Judiciary, “Mr. President, anything you want, and I mean anything you want, you will get from that House as long as I am Speaker”. While we do want to collaborate with the Executive, your statement diluted your credibility and independence. This was a bold statement and it boldened the Executive and exacerbated their disrespect to the House. It was a disrespect to the people you are leading and you need to clarify and apologize.

5. Members’ Benefits: Hon. Speaker, I understand you are intrigued by public sentiments and positive ratings. I am not. I have never cared how people think about me. We came to that House and met rules and benefits that members are entitled to. It’s legal benefits and you have not been able to ensure members get their due benefits. I can care less what the public perception is. We are not asking for anything more than what we deserve and is our legal right to have. I know you are a very wealthy man, but many of us aren’t. We depend on those fuel benefits and others to use to go and see our people. I know that since you became Speaker you haven’t visited your constituents, but it doesn’t mean other lawmakers don’t. We need our benefits and we need concrete timelines.

6. Cliques and Blocs: Cliques and Blocs are damaging the House and this is why I formally removed myself from your Bloc months ago when I realized this was a strategy to reinforce sycophancy behaviors. You have leaders around you that regularly insult members and you have done nothing to call them to order. You need to call your leaders to order, and I am specifically talking about the leaders of the committee on Rules Order & Administration and the committee on Ways, Means, and Finance.

Hon. Speaker, I don’t live my life by public perception and public sentiments. I live my life by doing what’s right and I don’t read comments.

Those same people in the comment section called me all sorts of nasty names in the past, never believed I would win an election, and more importantly, they didn’t bring me to this House so I can care less about their verbal ejaculations. So, continue to send your stooges and minions.

I remain committed and loyal to you, but I will also hold you accountable both publicly and privately to ensure you become a better leader. I know you are capable of doing the right thing and I am calling on you to do just that.

Week 1 starts Monday, until you address these concerns.

Regards,

Your Loyal, but Nonconformist Son,

Taa Zogbe Kartoe Wongbe