The Supreme Court of Liberia has ruled in favor of the opposition Unity Party that it can field a candidate in the ensuing Senatorial Election in Lofa County.
In the ruling on Friday, the full bench of the Supreme Court said the purported section 8.5(2) of the Collaborating Political Party (CPP) framework document, which barred any breakaway member from fielding candidates in any election until 2024 is against the Constitution of Liberia, and it is declared null and void.
The ruling sparked a celebration by partisans of the breakaway faction of the CPP including the Unity Party and the All Liberian Party, as well as the Senator Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence Liberty Party.
The CPP has been entangled with damaging internal that led to the withdrawal of the ALP, UP and a faction of the LP led by its political leader, Senator Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence.
However, remnant of the CPP including the Alternative National Congress (ANC) of Alexander Cummings and the Musa Bility’s faction of the LP filed a complaint to the National Elections Commission (NEC) to bar the UP from fielding candidate in the ensuing senatorial race in Lofa in line with the CPP’s exit clause.
Meanwhile, UP political leader and former VP Joseph N. Boakai has termed the court’s ruling as a “momentous victory” for all Liberian.
in a statement issue shortly after the ruling, the former VP said: “This is not only a victory for the people of Lofa County, but a momentous victory for the people of Liberia, and signifies renewed hope that Liberia is on its way to experiencing selfless, quality leadership; a leadership that you can trust!”
He continued: “As Standard Bearer of the ever-potent Unity Party, I congratulate the legal team headed by former Chief Justice Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott, Chairman Amin Modad and the leadership of the Party, partisans and supporters of the UP, the All Liberian Party of my good friend Benoni Urey, and Liberty Party of our distinguished Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence for this remarkable success. This victory is the beginning of what will happen in 2023!”
“In the coming days, you will begin to see a mass movement of Liberians, both at home and abroad, subscribing to this vessel of honor, with a strong determination to restore Liberia’s lost image. Get ready, Liberia will rise again!
Let’s celebrate this victory! I am upbeat!”