Voinjama, Lofa County – A Special Sitting of the National Executive Council of the opposition Liberty Party was held over the weekend in Voinjama City, Lofa County. As provided for in Article 8, Section 5 of the Party’s Constitution, the National Executive Council is the highest decision making body of the Party in the absence of a National Convention; it is presided over by the Political Leader and comprises of Chairpersons of the fifteen Counties, the immediate past Chairperson of the Party, Members of the Party’s Legislative Caucus, all National Vice Chairpersons, the National Secretary-General, National Treasurer and other Stakeholders.
This year’s Executive Council Sitting was held under the theme, “Keeping the LP Torch Burning” and brought together the aforementioned Stakeholders who by a unanimous vote amended the Party’s Constitution to create a National Advisory Council and elected a new code of officers to steer the affairs of the party up to the next National Convention. The Council Sitting also confirmed new positions for inclusion in LP’s Constitution, to include Vice Chairman for Educational Policy and Programs, Vice Chairman for Inter-Party Affairs, among others.
Former Campaign CEO, Mr. Musa Hassan Bility was nominated and confirmed to Head the Advisory Council while Senators Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence and Steve Armadou Zargo were elected Political Leader and National Chairman respectively. Others elected to the National Executive Committee of the LP include: Madam Rugie Barry, Vice Chair for Administration; Mr. Abraham Darius Dillon, Vice Chair for Political Affairs; Mr. Jacob Smith , Secretary General ; Mrs. Carmenia Abdallah , National Treasurer ; Mr. E. Augustine Fredericks , National Vice Chair for Membership ; Dr. H. Marcus Speare , National Vice Chair for Education, Policies and Program, Martin Kollah, National Vice Chair for Planning; Mr. Elder Jallah , Vice Chair for Operations and Technology ; Mr. Losene Bility , Vice Chair for External Affairs, Mr. PrinceToles, Vice Chair for Mobilization; Cllr. Powo Hilton, Vice Chair for Legal Affairs; Mr. Kwame Ross, Vice Chair for Auxiliary Affairs, Mr. Kla-Edward Toomey, II, Deputy SG for Press and Propaganda, Mr. James Yougie, Deputy SG for Operations and Technology; Mrs.Williette Lysander, National Women Wing Chair; Mr. Onesmus James, National Youth Chair; Mr. Alfred Cassell, Deputy SG for Communications; Mr. Daniel O. Sando, Assistant SG for Political Affairs ; Mr. AB Johnson, Assistant SG for Social Policy and Programs, Mr. Suliamah Jalloh, Assistant SG for Membership; Rebecca Hacker, Assistant SG for Logistics; Mr. Agatius Coker, Deputy SG for Auxilary Services and Mr. Ebenezer Wilson, Assistant SG for Special Projects.
In a special remarks, the outgoing Political Leader, Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine in a rather emotional and passionate tone appreciated GOD firstly for giving him the strength and wisdom to serve Liberia and the Party, and all current and former members of the Friends of Brumskine (FOB), the LP 2017 Presidential Campaign Team, Members of the Party and all Liberians who supported him over the last thirteen years while aspiring to become President of Liberia. Cllr. Brumskine also paid a special tribute to Hon. Eugene Fallah Kparkar, Mr. Kamara Abdulai Kamara and other fallen members of the FOB and LP. He urged the new Leadership to keep the LP Vision alive by rebranding and rebuilding the party with Reconciliation, the first of four Rs in the LP’s Manifesto being its foremost priority. There was an atmosphere of total silence in the hall and sadness on the faces of delegates as the outgoing Political Leader made his remarks.
In her acceptance Speech as the new Political Leader of the Liberty Party, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence appreciated Cllr. Brumskine for being a diligent Political Mentor over the years and having served the LP and Liberia with utmost commitment; she also appreciated all Liberty Partisans for the confidence reposed in her to serve as their Political Leader and promised to listen and work with all partisans in moving the party forward. According to Senator Lawrence, as Political Leader her immediate priorities include reconciling the party , instituting an effective fund raising program ,doing an assessment of the party’s performance in the last three Presidential Elections for the purpose of making improvements for the future, making party structures across the country very active through regular engagements and support, set up a robust membership recruitment program, introduce the Liberty Party Charity Wing , encourage collaboration among Opposition Political Parties, promote honesty , transparency and accountability in the party and remain supportive in maintaining the peace and stability of Liberia.
For his part, Senator Steve Zargo, the new Chairman of the Liberty Party appreciated Cllr. Brumskine and all members of the party for the confidence reposed in him to serve as their Chairman and committed himself to expanding the membership base of the party and working hard to ensure that the party remains vibrant and come back strong in upcoming elections.
Delegates at the LP’s Executive Council Sitting left in high spirits and expressed their trust and unflinching support for the new leadership of the party. They remain hopeful that the LP will in the soonest time excel to the presidency of Liberia and answer what they referred to as “Liberia’s historical cry for leadership.”