The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Revenue, Senator Gbehzohngar Findley, has warned that he will take legal action against the Government of Liberia (GOL) if it continues to replace dismissed chiefs with supporters and members of the governing Unity Party (UP), and if it fails to conduct chieftaincy elections across the country.
According to him, the government’s continuous negligence in conducting chieftaincy elections is dangerous to Liberia’s democratic process.
He observed that the government, through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is carrying out what he termed a “selective process” in replacing and subsequently appointing chiefs in various counties for political reasons.
Partisanship
Senator Findley has alleged that most of the chiefs being appointed are either from the ruling Unity Party or are individuals who supported the election of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in 2023. He maintained that most often, chiefs appointed by the executive are highly involved in political activities.
He added that because chiefs are not elected by their people, many of them are arbitrarily removed and replaced with others by the executive for political patronage. “The Ministry of Internal Affairs wants to start a selective process for Paramount, Clan and Town Chiefs which is in violation of the constitution.
Chiefs are elected to serve for a six-year term. But to go about moving them at this particular time is unconstitutional. You cannot use a political tool to remove chiefs simply because you do not like them.” He stated that chiefs should only be replaced through an electoral process or removed by the Liberian leader for a “proven cause.”
“Making all the Chiefs Unity Party or rescue chiefs or people who supported the President will give them (UP) an edge in 2029. Wanting chiefs to support you politically shouldn’t be a reason to remove them. It’s wrong.” Senator Findley pointed out that he has already forwarded the matter to the Plenary of the Liberian Senate to intervene.
He stressed that failure on the part of the Senate and the Executive branch to address the matter by ensuring that chieftaincy elections are held, he would be left with no other alternative but to sue the government in court. “If the Legislature cannot do anything about this, I’m sure the judiciary branch will do something.
I will take the government to court and I will have no problem doing that because; I think the constitution is clear on this matter.” Senator Findley emphasized that he would represent the interest of the hundreds of chiefs across the country by helping to ensure that their constitutional rights are protected.
He stated that though he does not intend to question the constitutional power of the Liberian leader to remove chiefs, elections must be held to replace those who have been dismissed for a “proven cause”, instead of appointment.
He said budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Internal Affairs should be slashed and portions given to the National Elections Commission (NEC) for the conduct of chieftaincy elections.
Original reporting by Front Page Africa
