LIBERTY PARTY TAKES MAJOR DECISIONS -Voids PL Position; Institutes Action against Nyonblee, others -Holds Convention Nov 4-6; Calls for legislative aspirants to apply

MONROVIA –  The Liberty Party, on Monday, October 10, 2022 took some major decisions on critical issues surrounding its immediate and future existence among which were retiring the position of political leader which is currently being occupied by Senator Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence, instituting actions against those who have been impersonating and taking decisions and actions for which they are not legally authorized to do, holding of a national convention in Gbarnga in November and calling for applications from interested persons who intend to contest for legislative seats next year on the platform of the party.

    According to a press release from the party, signed and approved by Martin Kollah and Musa Hassan Bility, Secretary General and National Chairman respectively, LP took the decision based on Article XIV of the LP Constitution which dwells on Transitional Provision as mandated at its December 2021 Special National Convention, which states, “In consideration of the Liberty Party decision to not feature a candidate for Standard Bearer in the 2023 Presidential and General Elections, and consistent with Article XIV: Transitional Provisions of the Liberty Party Constitution adopted at the Gbarnga Special National Convention in January 2021, which stated that “The NEC shall set the date for the election of the Party’s new Stander Bearer. Such election shall occur at least one (1) year prior to the Presidential and General Elections. Upon election of the new Standard Bearer, the new Standard Bearer shall replace the current Political Leader.”, it is hereby resolved that the position of the current Political Leader of the Party shall end in October 2022, which is when the tenure of the 2017 elected Standard Bearer/Political Leader shall formally come to an end, and the position of Political Leader shall be nullified until a Standard Bearer is elected, contests in, and wins the 2029 Presidential and General Elections.”

   The party said “consequently, the position of Political Leader is retired effective October 10, 2022 and will be reinstated, going forward, in accordance with provisions prescribed in the LP Constitution”.

   The position is currently being occupied by Senator Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence of Grand Bassa County, who leads a faction of the party and has been in a long tussle with Mr. Bility over the soul of the party.

    The party also took the decision to initiate legal action against former Party officials who according to the release “continue to take unauthorized and unsanctioned actions in the name of the Party, including making public pronouncements and raising funds both locally and in the diaspora, despite the fact they have been expelled from their positions within the Party and have been issued several warnings to desist from using the Party’s name for their personal activities”.

   The party said for months it has tried all methods possible to prevent this course of action, however the continued insistence of these individuals has left the Party with no alternative but this course in order to compel them to discontinue these actions.

    Though the party did not name anyone who it has taken action against, The Analyst can infer that it will be Senator Lawrence who in fact was reported to the National Elections Commission for functioning as political leader of the party when she was in fact “expelled” from the party.

   On other matters, Liberty Party which recently joined the Alternative National Congress(ANC) to amend the framework document of the Collaborating Political Parties(CPP) also  informed the public that plans are underway for its National Convention to be held in Gbarnga, Bong County on November 4 – 6, 2022, as provided for under its Constitution and in line with National Elections Commission regulations, in preparation for the 2023 Presidential and General Elections.

    The party also said pursuant to the provisions of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) Framework Document, it was formally opening its application process to for those who are interested in contesting as a Liberty Party Legislative Aspirant (Senator/ Representative) in the CPP the 2023 Presidential & General Elections in Liberia.

    “All LP partisans in Good Standing, with active Party engagement, and desiring to be considered may submit a Letter of Intent to the LP National Executive Committee through its Secretary General, Mr. Martin S. Kollah. Submissions must be hand-delivered to the LP Headquarter located at 19th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia. All submissions must be clearly marked “Legislative Aspirant Application” and the submitter must get a receipt of their filing and payment from the LP. In line with the national 30% and LP 50% gender balance requirements, female aspirants are STRONGLY urged to apply”, the release said.

    The party said all applicants must be Liberian citizens, must have been a domiciled resident in the constituency for one (1) year prior to election day, must be a LP member in good standing as defined by the LP constitution, and with active party participation, for a minimum of one(1) year and aspirant must pay an application fee of $100. The deadline for application is October 24, 2022.

   “All applications will be vetted by the LP National Executive Committee and aspirants will receive a formal letter informing them of the National Executive Committee’s decision by October 31, 2022. In the event that multiple applications are submitted for a single constituency, applicants will be subject to the majority decision of the LP National Executive Committee”, the release concluded.