Tyler to succumb?

Absolutely there seems no way out for criminally indicated House Speaker J. Alex Tyler, who has remained defiant to calls by colleagues lawmakers to recuse himself, as the Supreme Court throws out a writ of prohibition he has prayed for against their action.

Associate Justice in Chambers, Cllr. Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie Tuesday, 23 August declined to grant the embattled Speaker prohibition he had sought for parallel sessions in the House of Representatives, which he argues violates the Constitution of Liberia.

To add more injuries to his nightmare, the National Traditional Council of Liberia at a news conference held in Monrovia called on Speaker Tyler to immediately step aside to enable the country to move forward.

The row at the lower House has stalled normal legislative functions with the 2016/2017 Draft National Budget submitted by the Executive nearly two months ago, still lying before the 53rd Legislature.

The Chairman of the Traditional Council, Chief Zanzan Kawor said, the only way to resolving the impasse is for Speaker Tyler give in as he no longer enjoys the confidence of his colleagues who elected him to the post, so that the country could proceed with its developmental agenda.

According to him, it is wrongful and worrisome that the Speaker will falsely accuse President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of dishing out cash to lawmakers to remove him from office. Chief Kawor narrated that a week ago, the Council met with Speaker Tyler in an attempt to mediate, at which time he threatened that if the President did not stop supporting his colleagues in the House to oust him, it could lead to another civil crisis, noting that this was scaring, especially coming from a senior official of government, who has resources and powers.

But the Executive Mansion has persistently denied President Sirleaf’s involvement in the ongoing leadership struggle at the first branch of government. Chief Kawor added that on several occasions, the Council invited the Speaker for dialogue, but he refused to show up for reason best known to him, and that such attitude does not show sign of neither peace nor wanting to settle with his colleagues.

He pointed out that the best out for the forward march of the country, especially at the House of Representatives is for Tyler to step aside. However, responding to the assertion from the Council, Speaker Tyler asked the chiefs to first put their house in order before wanting to intervene in the saga at the House.

Meanwhile, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has resubmitted the letter to the majority bloc at the House headed by Deputy Speaker and Presiding Officer Hans Barchue, affirming her cooperation with that body.

The majority bloc is expected today to ask the Ministry of Justice and General Services Agency to withdraw Speaker Tyler’s security detailed and all government assets in his possession.

Speaker Tyler was indicted by the State along with several officials on multiple criminal charges, including economic sabotage and criminal facilitation after a Global Witness’ report linked to receiving bribes from Sable Mining, a British company to amend Liberian concession law in its favor.

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor-Editing by Jonathan Browne