The opposition Liberty Party has expelled six of its members and revoked their memberships over “direct violations and resolutions taken during the party’s convention, a statement signed by the party’s National Chairman Musa Hassan Bility disclosed.
Those expelled are Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence of Grand Bassa County, Monsterado County Senator, Abraham Darius Dillon, Lofa County Senator, Steve Zargo, Mr. Jacob Smith, Mr. Prince Toles and Mr. Daniel Sando.
The party noted that the action is as a result of these individuals’ decision to either participate as Unity Party (UP) campaign officials or contest on the UP ticket in the upcoming Presidential and General Elections, which is in direct violation of decisions and Resolutions taken at the LP Convention.
“It has come to the attention of the Liberty Party (LP) National Executive Committee that you have been named to, and have accepted, the position of Campaign Chair for the Unity Party (UP) 2023 Presidential and General Elections Campaign Team. We respect that the freedom of association is a right guaranteed to all Liberians under our Constitution and we interpose no objection to your exercising that right,” the statement said.
“However, you will also respect that as an LP member and a Senator elected under the LP ticket, you are duty-bound to maintain the Party line and support Party policies agreed to by a majority of the party leadership. You are fully aware that the LP Convention, the highest decision-making body of the LP, has approved and authorized LP’s status as a member of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) and has endorsed Mr. Alexander B. Cummings as the Standard Bearer of the CPP.”
The party added that the actions of the six individuals indicate that they are no longer aligning with the LP’s mission, vision, and objectives and that they have, instead, chosen to align with and support the UP’s mission, vision, and candidates in the ensuing elections, is a clear abdication of their duties as an LP Member.
“In light of the above, please let this letter serve you people as formal notification that you have effective immediately been expelled from the Liberty Party and your membership in the LP has been revoked,” the party added.
The LP, meanwhile has issued a stringent warning to the suspended individuals that going forward, “any unauthorized use of the LP name will result in legal action against them’’, warning the public that “anyone or group joining in the unauthorized use of the LP name for any reason will be enjoined in any such legal action.’’
It can be recalled Bility had threatened to sue Karnga-Lawrence for endorsing the Joseph Nyumah Boakai and Senator Jeremiah Koung presidential ticket in her capacity as Liberty Party’s political leader, allegedly in violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling and the party’s constitution.
“As far as Senator Karnga-Lawrence is concerned, she is disregarding and disrespecting the court’s ruling. The LP no longer has a political leader and she continues to call herself so,” Bility said at the time of the endorsement.
He promised to take advantage of the law and take Senator Karnga-Lawrence to court for endorsing the Boakai-Koung ticket “There are times in the opposition during these election periods that the Unity Party will need the opposition. Therefore, the … action of Senator Karnga-Lawrence to violate and disrespect the court is not the way to behave,”said Mr. Bility.
“This is complete violation and disrespect to the court’s ruling, and we will take advantage of the law and make sure that such doesn’t happen again,” Chairman Bility vowed.
Relationship between Chairman Bility and the three senators have since soured since Mr. Bility decided for the party to support Alternative National Congress Standard Bearer Alexander Cummings. Senator Nyonblee and others say Chairman Bility lacks the authority to unilaterally take decision without the executive committee of the party approval.
The Liberty Party has since divided into two fashions with Bility claiming to be the legitimate chairman while senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence and others recognize ex-chairman Stephen Zargo as head of the party.
Reporting by Front Page Africa
