Monrovia, Liberia Representative Frank Saah Foko Jr. of District 9, Montserrado County, has raised serious concerns over what he describes as an attempt to exclude opposition lawmakers from the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), allegedly due to their critical stance against the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
In a public statement issued early Monday, Rep. Foko disclosed that as of the morning of the constitutionally mandated address, he had not received an official invitation despite long-standing legislative protocol requiring formal notice to all lawmakers. He suggested that the omission was deliberate and politically motivated.
“The Legislature is our constitutional place of work,” Rep. Foko said. “Any attempt to deny duly elected representatives access to a national constitutional function raises serious questions about tolerance for dissent and respect for democratic norms.”
The lawmaker cited Article 58 of the Liberian Constitution, which mandates that the President present the State of the Nation Address before the Legislature on the fourth working Monday in January. According to Rep. Foko, exclusion of opposition lawmakers from such a session undermines the principle of separation of powers and weakens legislative oversight.
Rep. Foko, who has been outspoken in his criticism of policies and governance decisions of the Boakai administration, warned that silencing opposition voices through procedural exclusion sets a dangerous precedent for Liberia’s democracy.
Following his public disclosure and growing public attention, Rep. Foko later confirmed that he received his invitation to attend the address. He described the development as evidence that public accountability and constitutional vigilance remain essential safeguards of democratic governance.
“This outcome proves that democracy works when the people are informed and leaders are held accountable,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to defending democratic institutions regardless of political pressure.
As of publication, neither the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives nor the Executive Mansion had issued an official response to the allegations. The incident has, however, sparked renewed debate about legislative independence, internal House leadership, and the treatment of opposition lawmakers under the current administration.
Political observers note that the controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the Executive and opposition legislators, as Liberia continues to navigate democratic consolidation under its new leadership.
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