Liberia: Yekeh Kolubah Must Be on the Ballot to Replace Himself

The Liberian Constitution is clear: when a vacancy occurs in the House of Representatives due to expulsion or another qualifying event, the people—not politicians—must decide who represents them through a by-election. Nothing in the Constitution bars an expelled Representative from seeking re-election if he or she remains constitutionally qualified. If Representative Yekeh Kolubah wishes to contest the election, then the Liberian people—not political insiders—should determine his fate at the ballot box.

By Emmanuel Yartoe, contributing writer

Hon. Yekeh Kolubah has distinguished himself as one of the few Representatives whom many Liberians believe consistently speaks for ordinary citizens. Whether one agrees with his style or not, his willingness to challenge those in power has made him a recognizable voice in defense of the people. We cannot stand by while political actors who have failed to prioritize the public interest attempt to remove from the democratic process someone whom many citizens believe has represented them faithfully.

Following the Dillon and Gongloe-Weh campaigns, I made a personal decision not to participate in another political campaign in Liberia without thoroughly vetting the candidate. I have come to believe that shared values are far more important than shared interests. In my view, Yekeh Kolubah embodies many of the values that Liberia desperately needs in public service: courage, persistence, and a willingness to confront injustice, regardless of the consequences.

For that reason, we are forming Citizens United to Re-Elect Yekeh, a movement dedicated to ensuring that the constitutional rights of both the candidate and the voters are respected. We call upon patriotic Liberians who believe in democracy and the rule of law to join this effort.

Yekeh’s voice, regardless of how outspoken some may consider it, is preferable to the silence that often accompanies corruption and the theft of our children’s future. He frequently says publicly what many Liberians discuss privately but are unwilling to express openly.

This by-election should become a test of Liberia’s commitment to constitutional democracy. If the Constitution permits Yekeh Kolubah to contest the election, then no political authority should attempt to deny the Liberian people the opportunity to choose. The Constitution must be applied as written, not according to political convenience.

Ultimately, this is bigger than one individual. It is about preserving the right of the people to decide who represents them. If Yekeh Kolubah remains constitutionally eligible, then his name belongs on the ballot. Let the voters—not politicians—render the final verdict.

The voice of the Liberian people must be heard. Let democracy prevail.