Bility Criticizes Legislature for Abandoning Constitutional Mandate

Representative Musa Hassan Bility of Nimba County Electoral District #7 has sharply criticized the conduct of Liberia’s National Legislature, accusing lawmakers of straying from their constitutional responsibilities. He urged his colleagues to recommit themselves to the fundamental purpose for which the legislative branch was established. 

 
In a reflection written from Saclepea over the weekend, Bility questioned whether legislators remain faithful to their constitutional duties or have instead become consumed by personal privilege, partisan rivalry, and political theatrics. “Do we truly see why we are here?” Bility asked, calling on his colleagues to move beyond what he described as distractions rooted in power, privilege, and public display. He argued that the Legislature was never intended to be defined by motorcades, salaries, partisan shouting matches, or personal ambition.  According to Bility, the framers of Liberia’s Constitution envisioned the Legislature as a serious institution—one designed to hold power accountable, carefully weigh national decisions, and keep government closely connected to the people it serves.

  
He cautioned that the growing culture of insults, excessive partisanship, and political theatrics risks eroding public confidence in the Legislature.  Bility warned that the institution is increasingly being reduced to a battleground for ego rather than a forum for national problem-solving.  “The Legislature was not created as a marketplace for influence or a stage for performance,” he noted, stressing that its primary role is to ensure government remains answerable to the citizens.

  
The Nimba lawmaker further challenged his colleagues to reflect quietly—away from cameras and political slogans—on the seriousness of their constitutional duty.  
He suggested that many legislative decisions today prioritize political advantage over the real struggles faced by ordinary Liberians. Bility maintained that a return to the original spirit of the Legislature would result in more responsible debates, stronger oversight, and policies driven by the public interest rather than party loyalty. “Asking for respect must begin with respecting the institution itself,” he wrote, calling on lawmakers to honor the trust placed in them by the electorate.  

His statement, though not directed at any specific lawmaker, adds to the ongoing public debate about the credibility and performance of the National Legislature. Political observers say Bility’s message reflects growing concern, even within the Legislature itself, about the direction of governance and the widening gap between elected officials and the people they represent. The lawmaker’s remarks come at a time when public confidence in the Legislature has been questioned, with many citizens expressing frustration over perceived inaction and misplaced priorities.

  
Bility emphasized that the institution must rise above partisan theatrics and focus on its constitutional mandate of oversight, lawmaking, and representation. He noted that the framers of the Constitution did not envision the Legislature as a platform for personal ambition but as a body dedicated to the collective good of the nation. His reflection highlighted the dangers of lawmakers prioritizing political advantage over national interest, warning that such practices undermine democracy.

  
Bility’s call for reform comes amidst the House’s resolution to create an additional 14 electoral districts across the country, a move that has sparked debate about representation and governance. Observers believe his statement is a reminder that expanding districts alone will not solve deeper issues of accountability and legislative effectiveness. Bility concluded his reflection with a pointed question to his colleagues: whether they are truly fulfilling the role for which the legislative branch was created.

Author: Victor Quaye