The crisis in the opposition Liberty Party (LP) took a new twist on Saturday, March 5, 2022 when the executive committee of the party took major decisions: removing Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Political Leader/ Legislative Caucus Member; Debar Allen, National Advisory Council Chair/NAC Representative to NEC; Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, Vice Chair for Political and Legislative Affairs/Legislative Caucus Member; and others from their respective positions, and a decision to hold a special national convention to review its relationship with the Alternative National Congress (ANC) and its membership with the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) in the wake of the withdrawal of the Unity Party (UP) and the All Liberia Party (ALP). The executive committee says it believes these decisions are in the best interest of the party and the country.
“Earlier in 2021, LP suspended several of its officials, in line with Article XXX of the LP Constitution, for failure to pay their membership dues, as required. These Officials were given ninety (90) days to remedy their deficiencies, as constitutionally required, and notified them of the same. The ninety-day period has expired and, to date, the suspended officials have not remedied the deficiencies; as such, the LP EC has removed the suspended officers from position in the party, in line with the constitution,” the party said in its statement while taking the decision to remove the officials.
Others affected in the removal from office are Daniel Sando, Vice Chair for Press and Public Affairs; George Gaybue, County Chair, Grand Bassa County; Eugene Tarr, County Secretary, Grand Bassa County; Agatius Coker, Vice Chair for Auxiliary Services; Romeo Coker, County Chair, Montserrado County; August Fredericks, Vice Chair for Inter-Party and NEC Affairs; and Jacob Smith.
Others axed by the sweeping decision of the party are three lawmakers, Senators Steve Zargo, Jonathan Kaipay and Hans Barchue, who were members of the Legislative Caucus; Prince Toles, Vice Chair for Mobilization; Augustine Nyormui, County Secretary, Montserrado; and McCarthy Weh and Prescilla Cooper, NEC Eminent Members.
According to the constitution of the party, removal from office of defaulting dues paying officials is one of the penalties meted out and expulsion from the party is the final decision after the official fails to remedy the outstanding obligation. It is not yet clear if they will be finally expelled from the party.
In a press statement issued by the party, signed and approved by Martin Kollah and approved by Musa Hassan Bility, National Secretary General and National Chairman, respectively, the party noted that it was reviewing the relationship it entered with the ANC last year, in which it endorsed the Standard Bearer and Political Leader of the party, Alexander B. Cummings, as its choice to lead the sole ticket of the CPP during the 2023. According to the statement, since then the relationship has not been successfully consummated.
“During its December 2021 Special National Convention (SNC), the LP resolved to endorse the candidacy of Alexander B. Cummings, Standard Bearer of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), as the Standard Bearer of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), subject to execution of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the LP and the ANC, outlining the agreements reached and proffered to the SNC for approval. To date, we have not been able to successfully consummate the relationship by executing the MOU, and are duty bound to report back to the SNC, from which the mandate derived,” the party said.
It can be recalled that, at the end of LP’s Special National Convention held in Ganta, Nimba County in December 2021, Chairman Bility, while announcing the outcome of the gathering, which included the suspension of Senators Karnga-Lawrence, Dillon, Zargo, Kaipay and others, said that after due consideration and in the interest of the party and nation, LP had decided to endorse the candidature of Cummings and would work assiduously to realize the project through close collaboration and vigorous campaign, and that a formal agreement would be signed to take care of the demands put forward by LP. None of the demands were made public, but it has been speculated that one of the demands was to pick a member of the LP as running mate to Cummings.
The third decision, according to the release, is to review the party’s membership with the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) in the aftermath of the withdrawal of two other constituent members, the Unity Party of former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and the All Liberia Party(ALP) of Benoni Urey.
“With the withdrawal of the All Liberian Party (ALP) and the Unity Party (UP), the LP will be reviewing the relationship with the CPP and exploring all options available for moving forward. The LP assured the public that it remains committed to ensuring the objectives of the opposition, and that these will be paramount in any LP discussion and decision,” the party said.
The release further said that the party has voted to convene, once again, a Special National Convention (SNC) to review and deliberate on the issues concerning the relationship it has with the ANC and the CPP, the opposition bloc which pundits believe has lost its steam after witnessing series of crises, including the crucial aspect that has to do with who heads the ticket and the allegation of alteration of the framework document levied against Cummings by Urey and presently being contested in court.