The crisis rocking the Liberty Party took another turn yesterday, Tuesday, December 7, 2021, when the National Executive Committee (NEC) issued two communications, one suspending the Political leader Senator Nyonblee Kargar- Lawrence for not paying her mandatory membership due for the past 12 months and the other equally the suspending Senators Abraham Darius Dillon, Steve Zargo, Jonathan Kaipay, Representative Hans Barchue, among others for administrative reasons.
In taking the decision to suspend Senator Lawrence according to a letter addressed to her from the NEC and signed by the National Chairman, Mr. Musa Hassan Bility. the party said its action was based on the report from the National Treasurer which documented the due obligation and payment of party officials and it was revealed that the Grand Bassa County Senator was in arrears with the LP the total sum of USD18, 000, calculated at $USD per month and translated in 12 months of non-payment of the fees. The party said the default on the part of the Political Leader was in violation of Article IX of the constitution of the party which deals with the financial commitment of every member to the party.
To accord credence to the decision, the party quoted Article IX thus: “Persons accepted as members of the party shall pay a monthly membership fee as may from time to time be set by the NEC. ….Members in good standing are members whose ….membership dues are fully current and up to date …..Members who are not in good standing shall not be allowed to hold any office within the party, and if such member holds a position, elected or appointed, he/she shall be suspended by from the office by the NEC, until he or she shall have resumed the status of member in good standing. If after three months such member is still delinquent, he or she shall be permanently removed from the office, and they will also be expelled from the office”
The Party said during its National Executive Committee which was held in Ganta City, Nimba County, on November 20, 2021, the NEC deliberated on the National Treasurer’s report and approved evoking Article IX for officials not in good standing by sending them a reminder letter about the status of their financial obligations.
“On November 22, 2021, a letter was sent to you indicating the balance owed on your account as United States 1,500 per month. This represents a total of United States 18,000 for the period January –December 2021. On December 1, 2021, the NEC approved the suspension of officials not in good standing. However, in deference to the office of the political leader, the NEC excepted on your suspension pending a second reminder being sent to enable you to remedy the delinquency. On December 2, 2021, a second letter was sent. To date, you have not remedied the delinquency nor have you responded to earlier communication. Given the above on December 6, 2021, the NEC approved your suspension”, the party said.
The Party said against the background of the breach of its constitutional provision by the Political Leader, the NEC acting on a directive and in consistent with Article IX, has taken the decision to suspend Senator Karngar from her position as Political Leader and Legislative Caucus Member on the LP leadership and reminded her that as per the constitution she has a 90 day period to bring her account current, thereby putting her in good standing, and have her positions reinstated. “Upon the expiry of the ninety (90) day period, if remedy is not made, you may be permanently expelled from your positions. Please contact the National Treasurer during this period to make payment”, the letter concluded.
In similar measures, the party also announced the suspension of a number of key members which also came as a huge surprise to some political pundits. In addition to Senator Lawrence, the party said for administrative reason, it has suspended Senators Abraham Darius Dillon, Steve Zargo, Jonathan Kaipay and Representative Hans Barchue.
In a tersely written letter addressed to Mr. Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Chairman of the Collaborating Political Party(CPP), informing him of the decision, the party announced also the suspension of George Gaytube-County Chair, Grand Bassa, Eugene Tarr…County Secretary, Grand Bassa, Romeo Coker, County Chair, Montserrado ,Augustine Nyormua -County Secretary, Montserrado, Daniel Sando—Vice Chair for Press and Public Affairs,Edith Gongloe –Weh, Eminent Partisan and Debar Allen—NAC, Chair/NAC Rep to NEC
Others are Jacob Smith..NAC member, Nathaniel Barnes NAC member, Agatius Coker. VC, Auxiliary Service, Augustine Fredericks, VC Inter Party and NEC Affairs and Prince Toles.. VC for Mobilization.
When contacted yesterday for clarifications, Senator Lawrence dismissed the action, terming it “null and void” and as such the action to suspend her and others cannot stand. See back page for full response of Senator Lawrence’s response.
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