Monrovia – Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence(CPP, Grand Bassa) has expressed regrets over acts of violence following Sunday’s chaotic end to primary held in Sanniquellie, Nimba County to elect the four-party collaboration candidate for the December 8, 2020, Midterm Senatorial elections.
“As a leader of the CPP, I express deep and heartfelt regrets for the acts of violence which obtained at the CPP Primary in Nimba County,” the Senator said in a statement Monday.
Senator Karnga-Lawrence said: “The CPP is a response to the call of the Liberian people to heal and unite not just the opposition community but also the country. We know we will face difficulties along the way but our determination to succeed for the Liberian people should never be underestimated. Therefore, we join in the condemnation of the violence, and look to address same to avoid a recurrence after investigations and consultations with the leadership.”
The Senator is meanwhile urging partisans and well-wishers to remain calm, and refrain from any actions or public utterances that will further complicate the situation as we work out what is best for the CPP. “We thank the Liberian people for their continued support for the just cause and noble objectives of the CPP. The journey will be long and difficult but we will win for the people of Liberia. Finally, we thank the Liberian National Police for restoring calm and order at the primary venue in Nimba County. Together, we are stronger. Long live the CPP.”
The Senator’s concerns come as the Alternative National Congress(ANC) which is part of the collaboration announced Monday that it will not accept the results of Sunday’s primary.
In a statement, signed by its National Chairman, Senator Daniel Naathen, the ANC says its decision is based on the fact that its candidate, Mr. Taa Wongbe was maliciously and abruptly prevented from participating by supporters of Madam Edith Gongloe with the eruption of violence, led and orchestrated by the ALP. “This unfortunate situation was preceded by series of blatant violations of the process, which when ultimately failed to frustrate Taa, led to premeditated attacks on him, our delegates and officials. The refusal of Madam Gongloe’s team to allow ANC’s candidate to enter the stage was avoidable and should not have happened. Also notable is that while Taa attended to his injured partisans, an inconspicuous regrouping of the other parties without notice to our candidate took place to announce LP’s candidate, Edith Gongloe Weh as the CPP’s candidate. The ANC will not support the outcome of any process it was prevented from being a part of as a member of the CPP.”
Sunday’s chaotic climax has at least for now caused a split within the CPP, with the opposition Liberty Party chair Steven Zargo telling FrontPageAfrica Monday that his party supports the controversial election of Gongloe Weh.
The CPP’s Executive Committee has planned a meeting Monday evening to address the matter which is posing serious predicament for the opposition alliance looking to unseat the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change government at the polls in 2023 and score key victories in the upcoming Midterm Senatorial elections.