The National Campaign Committee of Cllr. Sylvester D. Rennie (Team Rennie), headed by Atty. Vincent B. Smith, has disclosed the official launch of their campaign today, November 18, 2021 at the University of Liberia (UL) auditorium, describing Cllr. Rennie as a man of experience, integrity, commitment and innovation.
Cllr. Rennie is vying for the presidency of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), and his team includes Cllr. Bobby F.W. Livingstone, Vice President; Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, National Secretary; and Cllr. B. Rachell Yabah-Duobah, National Treasurer.
According to Atty. Smith, Team Rennie believes in building upon the gains of a professional, vibrant, financially sustainable, nationally trusted and internationally respected LNBA, and brings to the table a wealth of experience, commitment, service, integrity, accessibility, innovation and growth.
He disclosed that the campaign will officially be launched at UL auditorium at 2:00 p.m., Capitol Hill, By-Pass. He used the medium to invite all well-wishers and sympathizers of Team Rennie to the occasion, which he said will unleash a 100-man campaign team to reach out to every constituent of the legal profession, as they are not prepared to give up the LNBA leadership to individuals who want to test their leadership skills and accrue fame at the expense of the members and the bar’s outstanding track record.
He told the Hot Pepper that Cllr. Pearl Brown Bull, Cllr. Molley Gray, Sr., Cllr. Frances Johnson-Allison are among names that are expected to grace the occasion.
As the Liberia National Bar Association gears towards election, the race to take over from Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe as President continues to intensify, with members of the legal profession building consensus based on candidates’ character and personality. The LNBA election will be held at its national convention in Ganta, Nimba County, on November 27, 2021.
Noticeable among the names contesting the LNBA presidency are Cllr. Sylvester Rennie, Cllr. Abrahim Sillah, Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu and Cllr. Swalihu Sesay.
However, Cllr. Rennie, one of the integrity-team players of Cllr. Gongloe’s administration, who served as Vice President of the bar, is arguably the leading contestant among them, and has vowed to maintain the legacy of integrity at the bar.
Giving the Hot Pepper a hint as to what his platform for the bar is, Cllr. Rennie said, if elected, they will ensure the rebranding of the present LNBA library to meet the standard of other bars’ libraries in the sub-region; decentralize the Continue Legal Education (CLE) Program; and ensure the continuation of the LNBA headquarter project.
He emphasized that they will strive for judicial independence—ensuring economic viability in respect to the Judicial Autonomy Act. He also underscored improving the relationship with the Supreme Court for the enhancement of an independent Judiciary, as well as constructive engagement with the government on issues involving the rule of law.
“We will ensure that Libel Lee is rebranded because it is completely inactive, and will exert effort to improve on the five Legal Aids Clinics and establish others in other counties,” Cllr. Rennie noted.
He vowed to make the LNBA accountable to its members by providing a quarterly report to its membership on the activities of the bar.
Cllr. Rennie’s service to the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) dates as far back as 2009 when he served as a member of the Law Day Committee. From 2012 to 2015, he served as an Executive Council Member; 2015—2018, Advisor to the LNBA leadership; and 2018—2021, Vice President.