Rep. Dixon Seboe has accused Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah of instigating a leadership crisis in the House of Representatives to gain control over finances. The conflict reveals deep divisions among lawmakers, with allegations of financial misconduct and illegal actions within the Majority Bloc. As the power struggle intensifies, Fallah has not yet responded to these serious accusations.
The ongoing conflict within the Liberian House of Representatives has intensified as Rep. Dixon Seboe of Montserrado County accused Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah of orchestrating a leadership crisis to gain financial control. Seboe alleged that Fallah, feeling marginalized by Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s leadership, is attempting to remove him from power. Seboe stated that this power struggle centers around the allocation of resources, asserting that certain individuals believe they should exclusively govern the Legislature’s decisions.
According to Seboe, Fallah, with nearly two decades of influence in the Legislature, has led attempts to unseat Speaker Koffa. Following his departure from Koffa’s leadership, Fallah facilitated controversial actions that included the removal of key committee heads, further consolidating the Majority Bloc’s power. This faction also controversially elected Rep. Richard Koon as the new Speaker, actions deemed illegitimate by Koffa’s allies and brought to the Supreme Court.
Seboe has accused Fallah of previous financial misconduct, including manipulation of budget disbursements. He recounted an incident where Fallah allegedly advised him to deceive colleagues regarding a special payment of US$900,000 meant for lawmakers. Seboe characterized the underlying issue at the Capitol as a pervasive attempt to misappropriate public funds.
This is not the first time Fallah has faced scrutiny; previously, allegations of fraud linked him to a so-called “cartel” manipulating the national budget for personal gain. Similar allegations arose in 2019 regarding Fallah and former Rep. Jeremiah Koung, highlighting a history of financial controversies surrounding their management of committee funds.
The divide within the House persists, with Rep. Seboe voicing frustration over the failure to address internal conflicts. He challenged the legality of the Majority Bloc’s actions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to proper legislative procedures. Seboe remarked on the alarming inability to resolve the situation over the past six months and criticized the Majority Bloc’s disregard for the rule of law.
As tensions escalate, Deputy Speaker Fallah has yet to respond to these latest accusations. The ongoing power struggle within the House of Representatives continues to reveal deep divisions among lawmakers, suggesting a continuing crisis that may require significant intervention to address.
The conflict within the House of Representatives highlights a troubling power struggle rooted in financial control and legislative integrity. Allegations against Deputy Speaker Fallah indicate a broader issue of corruption and misconduct. As factions remain divided, the need for adherence to proper legal frameworks has become increasingly apparent. The response from Fallah could further complicate or clarify the ongoing tensions within the House.
Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com