By Stephen G. Fellajuah
MONROVIA, Liberia, October 13, 2026 — Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon acknowledged the legitimacy of grievances raised by lawmakers under the Reformist Movement, saying the concerns extend beyond unpaid benefits to administrative issues within the House of Representatives.
Koon made the disclosure on Monday, October 12, after visiting lawmakers who gathered at Ocean Drive Resort in Monrovia amid growing tensions over the administration and financial management of the 55th Legislature.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Speaker said he had been given the opportunity to hear the lawmakers’ concerns and believed their claims deserved attention.
“I see what the issues are, and fortunately, I was privileged to be given all those accounts. Their claims are legitimate,” Koon said.
He added that the lawmakers would have an opportunity to present their grievances when the House officially convened, although he did not provide details about the specific administrative concerns raised during the meeting.
Asked whether the lawmakers’ complaints centered primarily on financial benefits, Koon said administrative matters constituted the dominant part of their concerns.
“They are talking about benefits, but the majority, the dominant part of the claims, are administrative issues,” he explained.
His remarks come amid a growing dispute between the House leadership and members of the Reformist Movement, who have raised concerns about unpaid legislative benefits and the handling of administrative affairs within the House.
The lawmakers’ grievances reportedly include constituency visitation allowances, district development funds, fuel allowances, and medical benefits intended to support their legislative responsibilities and constituency engagements.
Some lawmakers have also questioned the disbursement of funds allocated for legislative and district-related activities, although the allegations of financial irregularities have not been independently established.
During a separate interview on Monday, members of the Reformist Movement maintained that changes were needed in the administrative operations of the House, arguing that their concerns required attention from the legislative leadership.
“We have issues with some of the administrative workings of the leadership of the House of Representatives,” the lawmakers indicated.
However, Koon sought to clarify that discussions surrounding the grievances should not automatically be interpreted as a move to remove the House leadership.
His comments appear to signal an effort to resolve the dispute through engagement rather than allowing the grievances to escalate into a broader leadership confrontation.
Representative Abu Kamara of Montserrado County District #15 was among the lawmakers who spoke about their concerns, including complaints about money he said he had not received.
Meanwhile, Representative Jeremiah Garwo Sokan Sr. of Grand Gedeh County District #1, chairman of the Reformist Movement, said the gathering was intended to address the lawmakers’ concerns as part of their responsibilities.
Sokan, however, neither confirmed nor denied whether members of the movement would participate in the House sitting scheduled for Tuesday, October 13.
The uncertainty surrounding their participation comes as the House resumes its third and final quarter, with the dispute raising questions about the ability of the leadership to secure cooperation among members and maintain the smooth conduct of legislative business.
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