NPP Invokes Constitution; Suspends Biney -For Violating Party’s Constitution

MONROVIA – The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Patriotic Party (NPP), a tripartite member of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has with immediate effect suspended its National Chairman Senator James P. Biney for going against the party’s constitution and refusing to sign the Coalition Framework Document that was voted and signed through a resolution reached on February 4, 2023 by two-third majority members of the NEC. The NPP National Executive Committee reached the decision to suspend Chairman Biney on March 4, 2023 in Congo Town where two-third of the members convened to reach the decision in line with the party’s constitution.

According to the Resolution that saw Chairman Biney suspended from his position, the National Patriotic Party’s NEC convened a meeting on March 4, 2023 to deliberate on the party’s representation within the leadership structure of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). As an outcome of the said meeting, the NEC passed a Resolution declaring Chairman Biney incapable and unfit to represent the NPP structure of the Coalition due to his abject refusal to sign the coalition framework document after being mandated by majority members of the NEC of the Party, in clear and present violation of section 8.7 (a) and (e) of the 2004 constitution; a violation which provides for suspension or expulsion in line with section 2.8 of the party’s constitution.

It can be recalled that the National Executive Committee of the NPP on February 4, 2023 convened a NEC meeting under the gavel of Chairman James P. Biney during which over two third majority members of the NEC voted and signed a resolution approving the new framework agreement of the Coalition for Democratic Change and further mandated the Standard Bearer, National Chairman and Secretary General to sign the framework document for the next six years.

In accordance with the March 4, 2023 Resolution that got Chairman Biney suspended and forwarded for investigation to the Party’s Grievance and Ethics Committee, the framework agreement which Chairman Biney refused to sign provides that that the National Chairman of the NPP shall serve as Secretary General of the Coalition for Democratic Change which heads the secretariat, and sign all official communications to include nomination form of all coalition candidates for submission to the National Elections Commission.

“Whereas, Chairman James P. Biney willfully refused to sign the framework agreement of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) after having being mandated by the National Executive Committee (NEC) through a resolution of over two third majority members of the NEC;

“Whereas, the refusal of Chairman Biney to sign the coalition framework document after being mandated by majority members of the NEC of the Party is in violation of section 8.7 (a) and (e) of the 2004 constitution; a violation of which provides for suspension or expulsion in line with section 2.8 of the party’s constitution. Such refusal has rendered Chairman Biney incapable and unfit to represent the NPP in the leadership structure of the coalition;

“Now therefore, we the members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NPP hereby resolved that, upon the signing of the resolution by the required two third majority members of the NEC, Chairman James P. Biney is hereby suspended with immediate effect and has been ordered to report to the Grievance and Ethics Committee in three working days for investigation. Failure to do so, he shall be considered automatically expelled,” stated the March 4, 2023 Resolution, a copy of which is in the possession of this paper.

National Patriotic Party Vice Chairman for Administration, Partisan George S. Mulbah, has been mandated to act as National Chairman of the NPP.

Meeting Constitutional Benchmarks

Constituting a two-third majority, 42 out of the 56 National Executive Committee members signed the latest NPP Resolution.

Among National Executive Committee members who signed the Resolution to suspend Biney and forward him for investigation were Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, National Standard Bearer; Partisan John Gray, National Vice Standard Bearer; Partisan George S. Mulbah, National Vice Chairman for Administration; Partisan Melee Kermue, National Vice Chairman for Operations; Partisan Amanda Garnett, National Vice Chair for Social Services; Partisan Atty J. Allison Barco, National Vice Chairman for Governmental Affairs; Partisan Abel Massaly, Legal Counsel; Partisan Andrew Peters, National Secretary General; Partisan Gus Knowlden, Assistant Secretary General for Press and Propaganda; Partisan Nyudueh Morkonmana, Advisory Board Chairman; among others.

Speaking on the Resolution that led to the suspension of Chairman Biney, a stalwart of the NPP, in a conversation with The Analyst, observed that the National Executive Committee followed the due process by first convening and reaching a quorum, deliberating on the issue, suspending Chairman Biney and according him an opportunity for redress through the Grievance and Ethics Committee.

“The NEC followed the legal process in line with our constitution. Whatever reaction that follows from the side of the suspended Chairman should be done responsibly and legally, because our Party is governed by rules and regulations. No one is bigger than the party’s interest,” the NPP stalwart said, while speaking on the basis of anonymity.

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