USA — The National Leadership of the Unity Party USA and Canada calls on the National Elections Commission of Liberia to respect the will of the Liberian voters and immediately certificate all Senators-elect whose election have been fully adjudicated.
The USA-Canada group strongly condemns the actions of the government of Liberia and its functionaries to interfere in the elections process in which they fielded candidates and calls this an act of being a player and a referee at the same time.
Speaking on behalf of the group, its National Chairman, Kerper Dwanyen expressed grave concerns over the continued lack of respect for the rule of law that has characterized the Weah led administration such as the failure to account for $16 billion Liberian dollars, the fraudulent $25 million USD so called mop up exercise, the misappropriation of donor funds and the killing of government auditors without a trace of investigation.
Mr. Dwanyen expressed fears that the continued lawlessness has the propensity to disrupt the fragile peace in the country and short circuit the building of a vibrant democracy and create a failed state once more.
Mr. Dwanyen further went on to blame former president Ellen Sirleaf for her act in selecting George Weah for her own nebulous reasons and for continuing to play puppet master in orchestrating schemes designed to frustrate the aspirations of the Liberian people.
He called on Madame Sirleaf to immediately cease and desist these sinister designs as the nation of Liberia has given her much over her lifetime and does not deserve to be sent to hell repeatedly by her.
The UP diaspora leader urged Liberians to exercise vigilance over our democracy, speak truth to power, and always vote their conscience, remaining law abiding in their quest believing that people power will always prevail.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) on Tuesday failed to certificate Senator Elect Brownie Samukai of Lofa County even after the Supreme Court ruled clearing all elections disputes complaints that has delayed his certification and induction.
Contrary to speculation that the Lofa County Senator elect would have been certificated Tuesday March 2, 2021, Samukai and his legal team were informed by the NEC chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah that date for the certification would be communicated to Samukai and his team.
The NEC through its clerk read the Supreme Court ruling and adjourned immediately. However sources at the National Elections Commission has hinted this paper that Commissioners of the NEC are divided over whether to honor the mandate of the Supreme Court or the letter of information from the Justice Minister.
On Monday March 1, 2021, the Minister of Justice Cllr. Frank Musah Dean wrote the National Elections Commission (NEC) information them about constitutional provision that is specific about people convicted and service in Public offices
Cllr Dean, in a letter addressed to NEC’s chairperson Davidetta Brown-Lasanah, said any person convicted of a felony, committed in connection with his employment as a public servant is disqualified from holding public office until the sentence is served.
“Herewith, inform you of the attached final Judgment of the Supreme Court Of Liberia, affirming the judgment of guilty against Messer Brownie Samukai , Joseph J. Johnson , Myumah , Dorko for the commission of the crimes of Theft Property, misuse public money, and criminal conspiracy,” Cllr. Dean said in a letter.
Dean’s letter comes exactly a week after he told the Senate plenary that he knew nothing about a letter written by Solicitor General, Cllr. Syrenius Cephas in which he mandated NEC to halt the certification of Samukai until he restitutes the amount of US$1.4 million.