MONROVIA : The opposition Liberty Party of Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence is insisting that the decision nullifying the outcome of the Special National Convention held in Gbarnga, Bong County which elected the Musa Bility led leadership and adopted the 2021 constitution remains in force, according to the party “not even with any attempt by the National Election Committee (NEC) to interfere in its internal matter”.
According to press release from the party and signed by Jacob Smith, who had resumed as Secretary General of the party following the announcement to return to status quo ante said that the party has received a communication from the National Election Commission stating, in effect, that it upholds the 2021 constitution of the party which has been a question of much controversy, basically hinged to the fact that Mr. Musa Bility, the former Chairman, had tampered with the instrument after its adoption by delegates, stressing that the position of NEC to say the least, is shocking.
“Additionally, we have today, December 13, 2021, solidified the nullification of the Convention by an Order which contains all of the reasons for the nullification of the Convention. That Order, having been submitted to the NEC, constitutes sufficient notification to that Body. We shall not recant this decision, not even with any attempt by the NEC to interfere in the internal matter of the Liberty Party.
“It goes without saying that having nullified the Convention for ignoring key provisions governing the Special National Convention in the Liberty Party, both the Constitution and officers elected at the convention are of no legal effect. All concerned are warned to desist from making reference to the said illegal document”.
The party said for the benefit of its partisans and the public, it wishes to reiterate that on October 2, 2021, both the Political Leader and Mr. Bility, agreed to hold a retreat at the Farmington Hotel under the auspices of the National Advisory Council to review the Convention’s documents in terms of procedures and contents. It added that the meeting took place against the backdrop of NEC’s ruling, urging the Party to use its internal mechanism to resolve the matter.
The release stated further that the result of the retreat, which identified unauthorized changes in the document, has since November 15, 2021, been filed with the National Elections Commission with notice to the Commission that the instrument was effectively withdrawn, as it could not govern the affairs of the party. It is also important to note that under the MOU both parties agreed to accept the findings of the forum as final and binding.
“We do have a precedent case with the NEC on this matter, and will not hesitate to pursue the appropriate measure to ensure that the NEC complies with its own ruling, referencing Sections 3.4 of its revised Guidelines governing Political Parties and Independent Candidates”, the party concluded.
Meanwhile, in pursuant to the nullification of the outcome of the Special National Convention yesterday, December 13, 2021, Senator Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence issued a notarized Special Order to effect the action.
Part of the 3 page notary certificate dated December 13, 2021, titled “A Special Order From Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Political Leader, Liberty Party pursuant to the Nullification of The January 22-24, Convention of Liberty Party Held in The City of Gbarnga, Bong County said,
“Whereas, on December 30, 2020, the political leader of Liberty Party issued a Special Order in Compliance with Article VIII Section 2 of the Liberty Party constitution of 2015 empowering the Political Leader to convene a Special National Convention to act on specific issues;
“Whereas, the political leader, subsequent to the issuance of the Order appointed a Convention Planning Committee charged with the responsibility of detailing all steps necessary for the smooth execution of the Convention;
Whereas, in the aftermath of the Convention, one of the participants filed a complaint to the Presiding Officer, citing procedural and substantive grounds including the use of wrong delegates, excluding constitutionally qualified delegates, among others
Whereas, the aforementioned complaint was initially heard by the National Elections Commission who ruled that complainant Azango should first utilize his party’s internal mechanism
“Now, therefore, I, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, political leader and President Officer of the 2021 Liberty Party Special National Convention, do order as follows”:
“That consistent with Article V Section I(d) andArticle VI Section I (d) of 2015 Constitution which respectively designates the Political Leader as the Convener and Chairman of the Special National Convention, and which provides that the Standard-Bearer/Political leader “may take such other actions he/she may deem as necessary and proper measures to advance the best interest of the Party”, the Liberty Party Convention of 2021 is hereby nullified for the lack of quorum to have passed on purposes for which the Special Order was issued by the Political Leader”
“That with the nullification of the said convention, Liberty Party has returned to status quo ante”.
“That Senator Stephen J.H. Zargo, the immediate Chairman prior to the Special National Convention, ascends to the Chairmanship of Liberty Party pending a stakeholder meeting to determine the future direction of the party”.
“That all County Chairpersons are ordered to avail themselves to the Chairmanship of Senator Zargo as of the issuance of the Order”..
“DONE THIS 12 DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2021 IN THE CITY OF MONROVIA, MONTSERRADO COUNTY, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA”
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