Liberia’s four Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) has issued a warning that it would strongly resist any “wicked” attempt to undermine the rule of law by denying Mr. Brownie Samuakai his elected seat in Lofa County by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
The CPP said such decision amounts to creating insecurity and undermine the democratic value of the country.
CPP is a coalition of four opposition parties in Liberia—Unity Party of former Vice President Joseph Boakai; Liberty Party of Senator Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence; Alternative National Congress of Alexander Cummings and the All Liberian Party of Benonai Urey.
The Chairperson of the CPP, Senator Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence told a news conference in Monrovia, that the CPP stands with the people of Lofa County.
She said Mr. Samukai was overwhelming elected by the people without legal dispute and has been finally determined by the Supreme Court.
It can be recalled that months after he won the most votes in the Lofa County Senatorial election, the Supreme Court recently halted his certification, a short time after the National Elections Commission (NEC) declared him winner.
The high court’s action was triggered by a petition for a Writ of Prohibition filed the Political chairman of the Movement for Progressive Change O’Neil Paasewe on Tuesday March 2, 2021.
Samukai, former Defense Minister in the former regime of ex-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is the candidate of the opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) and he has been battling a legal suit in which he was convicted by the Criminal Court C for corruption, a verdict which was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court.
Pro-Samuakai Vs NEC
Last week, supporters of the former Defense Minister cautioned the NEC to work independent of any political influence as their suspicion shows that the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is on a witch-hunt against the opposition community.
The supporters claimed that if Samukai is not certificated, they will resolve to series of actions without violence to register their concerns to the national government about how unfairly they are treated in terms of representation.
Brownie Samukai was earlier notified to be Certificated on Monday March 1; unfortunately for him, the Board Of Commissioners of the NEC decided reading the latest Communication from the Supreme Court reminding the Electoral Body of its ruling, thus suspending the certification for time indefinite.
As provided for by Article 83 (C) of the 1986 Revised Constitution, NEC is to look into post-election disputes and if parties disagree, they have the right to file appeals to the Supreme Court, who is the final arbitral of justice in the country.
Samukai and two deputies were convicted of misapplying 1.4 million United states dollars belong to the Armed forces of Liberia, (AFL), a claim he has since denied.
Samukai has repeatedly said he was instructed by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to use the amount for special security operation.
There has been no word from the president as Samukai legal woes continues.
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