-As nearly 50 incumbent lawmakers lose seats
By Kaipee Luther Newray
With nearly 50 of the 73-member House of Representatives voted out of office in the October 10 election, there are reports that some incumbents and incoming lawmakers are already lining up to contest the post of Speaker.
Even ahead of the sitting of the 54th Legislature constitutionally set for January 2018, other reports say some members of the current 53rd Legislature at the lower house are holding consultations to unseat the current Speaker, Emmanuel Nuquay. He is the running mate of Vice President Joseph Boakai in the 2017 elections.
Names that www.newspublictrust.com has so far gathered who are eyeing the Speaker post in January include Edwin Snowe, Thomas Fallah, Prince Moye, Current Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue and new common Fonati Koffa.
But Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue has meanwhile, dismissed rumors suggesting plan to unseat Nuquay as Speaker of the House.
It’s speculated that the ground for Nuquay’s possible removal is defeated lawmakers feel he was allegedly responsible for the of the nearly 50 incumbent lawmakers’ defeat at the polls.
He urged journalists to investigate the names of individuals trying to contest the speakership and report the factual story to the public.
Deputy Speaker Barchue, one of the lawmakers re-elected in the October 10 polls, did not say whether or not he will join the race to succeed the outgoing Speaker, a Nuquay’s tenure expires next January.
When questioned by Capitol Building Reporters about whether he’s eyeing the speakership, Barhue said, ’’ let me see how event unfold, it’s one thing to say I want to be speaker and is another thing to be qualify for the position.”
“Therefore, let me consult my other colleagues to see whether they share my view of becoming the next speaker of the 54th National Legislature,” the Deputy Speaker added.
“After consultations and if I get any fruitful result from my colleagues,” Barchue said “will announce it but now I remain mute.’’
He said the rumors of plans to remove Speaker Nuquay “are baseless and untrue which nobody should believe.”
’’If you are hearing that I want to remove the speaker, it is not true,” the Deputy Speaker clarified.