The decision by Joseph N. Boakai to recall the Legislature for a 10-day special session may have been driven by urgent economic priorities—but it has also, perhaps unintentionally, created the perfect political stage for a potential showdown involving Representative Yekeh Kolubah. What was meant to focus on pressing national issues—currency stabilization and the supplementary budget—could quickly be overshadowed by a rising storm within the House of Representatives. At the center of that storm is Kolubah, whose recent remarks on the Liberia–Guinea border have triggered outrage, raised constitutional questions, and emboldened his critics.
This is no longer just about “loose talk.” It is about national identity, sovereignty, and the responsibilities that come with public office. Kolubah’s alleged assertion that disputed Liberian territory belongs to Guinea has struck a nerve across the political spectrum. In a fragile region where border tensions can easily escalate, such statements carry weight far beyond ordinary political rhetoric. The fact that Guinean officials reportedly referenced his remarks only deepens concerns that his words may have had unintended diplomatic consequences.
For lawmakers like Sumo Mulbah, the issue is clear-cut: this is not merely controversial speech—it is a potential violation of the constitutional oath to protect Liberia’s sovereignty. By invoking Article 76 on treason and other national security provisions, critics are signaling that this matter could move beyond political disagreement into legal and constitutional territory. Yet, the question remains: Will the House use this special session to expel Yekeh Kolubah?
The answer is far from straightforward.
On one hand, the special session provides a rare opportunity. With lawmakers already convened under urgency, political momentum could shift quickly. If a consensus builds among the majority bloc, disciplinary action—whether censure, suspension, or even expulsion—could be fast-tracked. The added development of a pending by-election in Montserrado County only raises the stakes, suggesting that some political actors may already be calculating the electoral implications of Kolubah’s possible removal.
On the other hand, expulsion is no simple matter. It requires significant political will, procedural consensus, and careful adherence to constitutional safeguards. There is also the broader issue of precedent: removing a lawmaker over controversial speech, however damaging, risks opening a debate about the limits of free expression in a system.
This is where the Legislature must tread carefully.
If Kolubah’s comments are proven to have materially endangered national security or undermined Liberia’s territorial integrity, then accountability is not only justified—it is necessary. But if the response is driven more by political rivalry than constitutional principle, the House risks turning a serious national issue into a partisan purge.
President Boakai’s recall, therefore, has done more than reconvene lawmakers—it has accelerated a moment of reckoning. The Legislature must now decide whether it will remain focused on the urgent economic agenda or allow internal political tensions to dominate the session. In the coming days, Capitol Hill may well transform from a chamber of fiscal deliberation into an arena of political judgment.
And at the center of it all stands Yekeh Kolubah—embattled, controversial, and now facing what could be the most defining moment of his political career.
Author: Samuel B. Johnson
