Liberia: Cummings’ Tips Nyoblee Karnga-Lawrence as Running Mate As Bility Reportedly Agrees to Bury the Hatchet

MONROVIA – The Unity Party Joseph Boakai’s rejection of Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence as his running mate last week appears to be presenting a golden opportunity for the Liberty Party to iron out its differences as she’s being considered by Alexander Cummings as the vice standard bearer of the Collaborating Political Parties. 

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By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected] 

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FrontPageAfrica gathered that Cummings has been holding series of consultations with members of his Alternative National Congress and the Liberty Party with the sole purpose of resolving to move forward as a united opposition bloc despite their differences. 

At a meeting held last Friday, FrontPageAfrica gathered that Sen. Karnga-Lawrence presented Mr. Cummings request to the leadership of the Liberty Party. Those reportedly present at the meeting were members of the National Executive Committee including Chairman Bility, Mr. Martin Kolleh, National Secretary General, Ms. Rugie Barry, Vice Chair for Administration,  Ms. Wadei Powell, Vice Chair for Political and Legislative Affairs/National Treasurer, Mr. James Yougie, Vice Chair for Planning and Programs, and Mr. Elder Jallah, Vice Chair for Operations, and National Advisory Council members, including Chairman Benjamin Sanvee and Ms. Charlyne Brumskine. 

However, Sen. Karnga-Lawrence was not present at the meeting, rather, she was represented by a delegation headed by Mr. Jacob Smith and including Sen. Abraham Darius Dillon, Sen. Steve Zargo, and others.

In a Facebook post Sunday, the Grand Bassa senator wrote: “As leaders, we are open to talking with everyone in public or privately, as we have always done. Under the prevailing circumstances, our decision will be guided by our principles and vision in the best interest of our country. We will speak up soon!”

The weekend was rocked with several back and forths after Friday’s meeting when Bility who said he supports whomever Cummings takes a running mate emphasized that Sen. Nyonblee-Karngar’s selection by Cummings was on an individual contractual basis, and not as the political leader of the Liberty Party since she has been long expelled. 

However, the representatives of the embattled political leader including Mr. Smith insisted that that was a critical condition that would be taken into consideration by Sen. Karnga-Lawrence should she consider Cummings’ proposition. 

FrontPageAfrica gathered that after intense lobbying by the ANC, which has been pushing for an amicable resolution to the LP’s conflict, and some members of the LP, Chairman Bility has reportedly agreed to give up the fight and reinstate Nyonblee in the party.

However, there remains another sticky issue – Sen. Steve Zargo remains adamant and believes the Liberty Party must rather support Joseph Boakai. But some members of the Liberty Party informed FrontPageAfrica that Sen. Zargo’s push is based on the fact that he is depending on Boakai’s support in Lofa County for re-election into the Senate.

It can be recalled that on the eve of Boakai’s unveiling of his running mate, Sen. Karnga-Lawrence in a press statement acknowledged that her support for Boakai resulted in an intra-party rivalry within the Liberty Party, which led to her expulsion from the party. As a consequence, the party has been embroiled in a series of litigations.

However, she disclosed that irrespective of the strong partnership she along with the All Liberian Party (ALP) headed by Benoni Urey formed with the Boakai and the Unity Party, Boakai informed them on Tuesday that he has made up his mind to choose his running mate for the pending elections outside of the Liberty Party and the All Liberian Party.

She stated: “Upon conclusion of our brief meeting with Ambassador Boakai, we convened a meeting of the executive leadership of the Liberty Party to inform the leadership of our conversation with Ambassador Boakai.

“Consistent with our Party’s tradition, the executive leadership has unanimously resolved at its sitting to consult our various constituents across the country and in the diaspora and thereafter provide a clear direction for our partisans, many of whom had been anxiously waiting for the pronouncement of Ambassador Boakai. The consultations have begun, and in subsequent time, the public and our partisans and supporters will be duly informed of our direction for the 2023 elections.”