House of Representatives Reinstates November Decision ……Elects Richard Koon as Speaker in Landslide Vote

In a dramatic reaffirmation of its earlier stance, the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, overwhelmingly elected Montserrado County District #11 Representative, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, as Speaker of the 55th Legislature, effectively sealing a power shift that has been months in the making.
The decision reinforces the November 21, 2024 vote, when Koon was first chosen as Speaker in the midst of legislative disputes and political realignments. 
His election on Tuesday followed the official resignation of former Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, whose exit was acknowledged by the House plenary as being “in the best interest of the country and its people.”
Monday’s announcement by the House leadership that a fresh election would be held triggered political anticipation across the Capitol. True to their word, lawmakers conducted the vote during open plenary, adhering to what observers described as a free, fair, and transparent process.
In the end, Koon secured a decisive 43 votes, trouncing his closest rival, Hon. Musa Hassan Bility of Nimba County District number seven, who garnered 26 votes. The outcome underscored Koon’s widespread support within the legislative body, particularly among the majority bloc.
Immediately following the announcement of the results, Koon was sworn into office by Deputy Speaker Hon. Thomas P. Fallah, surrounded by jubilant lawmakers and staffers who applauded the peaceful and orderly transition of power.
In his acceptance speech, Speaker Koon thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to uphold the integrity of the House while delivering results for the Liberian people. 
“This is not a victory for me. It is a victory for unity, stability, and progress in Liberia’s democracy,” he said
Koon outlined a legislative agenda focused on healing internal divisions, promoting collaboration across party lines, and ensuring that the House prioritizes the needs of the ordinary Liberian citizen. 
“As we resume the 2nd Quarter of the 2nd Session, our focus must be on delivering tangible results for the Liberian people,” he emphasized.
The newly installed Speaker signaled intentions to modernize House operations, increase transparency in legislative dealings, and enhance the oversight functions of committees moves expected to resonate with both the public and Liberia’s international partners.
Political analysts say Koon’s election could mark a turning point for the 55th Legislature, which has struggled in recent months with factional tensions and competing agendas that have sometimes stalled important legislative business.
The election also symbolically closes the chapter on Koffa’s tenure, which was often marked by political tightropes and balancing acts. 
His resignation, though sudden, is being viewed as a statesmanlike decision that prevented a prolonged crisis within the chamber.
Observers also hailed the conduct of Tuesday’s session, pointing out that the democratic procedures followed set a positive tone for institutional stability and accountability. “This is how transitions in a democratic legislature should happen,” said one legislative staffer.
The Press Bureau of the House issued a formal statement following the vote, extending legislative greetings and reiterating the House’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and national development through responsible lawmaking and inclusive leadership.
Meanwhile, Speaker Koon has announced key leadership appointments including committee chairs, as he begins to shape a leadership structure that reflects his vision of unity and national service.
With the power struggle now resolved, attention shifts to the legislative agenda particularly on economic recovery, security reforms, and public sector accountability issues that Speaker Koon has pledged to champion.