PUL Clarifies Vacant Key Leadership Positions Issue -Expresses Commitment to Reconciliation & Unity

MONROVIA – The leadership of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has spoken to issues regarding the status of the vacant positions of Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General, warning that the decision made by the erstwhile court-mandated Interim Committee to declare these positions vacant remains final and non-negotiable, unless reversed by the general membership.

The PUL said in a press release that the clarification was intended to dispel any misconceptions surrounding the availability of these roles to the two members of the Union who, after being elected, declined to take the constitutionally required oath of office.

“Regrettably, both individuals boycotted the induction ceremony held on October 1, 2024,” the PUL leader lamented, insisting that it finds the recent action of these members disrespectful, particularly their statement posted late on Saturday, May 31, 2025, on social media, wherein they proclaimed their intent to resume full execution of their duties on June 2.

For the record, the PUL leadership said, it was not aware of any formal agreement or ceremony by which the two members concerned would, in their own words resume full execution of … duties at the PUL on the date specified.

The PUL leader said it viewed as a significant breach of protocol, akin to the disrespect exhibited to the court mandated Interim Committee and the general membership the two members’ choice to publicize their intentions on social media, rather than consulting with the PUL leadership.

The Union said in the release issued yesterday: “This conduct undermines the genuine efforts of the PUL leadership and the Executive Committee, who have been actively engaged since November 2024 in seeking viable solutions concerning the announced vacancies in the face of huge institutional challenges inherited from the previous administration including a debt of nearly 30–thousand US Dollars and a deficit of public trust.” 

According to the PUL, on October 17, 2024, the previous interim leadership, established by court order, conveyed to the Ninth Circuit Court in Gbarnga, Bong County, that new elections would be conducted for these vacant positions after the two members rejected a second change to be inducted at a separate ceremony.  

Written responses received by the Interim Committee on 10 October 2024 from the two concerned members indicated their dissatisfaction with the rerun elections held on September 21, 2024, despite their participation in the process they would later deem a “violation of the PUL constitution.”

The release indicated that their references to a related frivolous legal case, which was later dismissed on March 5, 2025, by the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court of Montserrado County, further pointed to their scheme to unduly obstruct the operations of the Union. 

In the interest of moving forward, it should be said that the two gentlemen were given a third opportunity to redeem their seats, “when our leadership magnanimously approached them on November 28, 2024, to take the vacant seats, but they chose not to utilize the opportunity because they probably wanted to please their handlers.”

The Union said it sympathized with the two members, “but we should never treat the PUL with contempt”. 

The PUL stressed that “consequently, it is imperative to clarify that at this stage no individual who has neither taken the constitutional oath of office nor been inaugurated can assume leadership roles within the PUL elected hierarchy without a unanimous or two-thirds decision by the PUL Executive Committee and the general membership. Any belief to the contrary is mistaken.”

The PUL leadership firmly asserted that its legal authority reserves the right to take necessary actions to uphold the integrity of the organization’s Constitution and the Union itself, adding, “We strongly advise the concerned members to recognize this reality and act accordingly. If they genuinely seek reconciliation, they must engage through the appropriate channels within the Union, rather than resorting to social media gimmick.”

The PUL said it remained committed to fostering an environment of reconciliation and unity, our dedication to professionalism, accountability, and integrity remains unwavering.

This commitment is fundamental to the mission and vision of the Press Union of Liberia, the group said. “In the coming days, the PUL Executive Committee will convene in its quarterly meeting, after which the general membership meeting for the first half of the year will be called. Service to our Union is constitutional and not at own choosing and pleasure.”