Monrovia – With less than five months at Liberian National Union Party (LINU), presidential hopeful Dr. Jallah Barbu has resigned from the party for the New Liberian Party (NLP).
“I am respectfully informing you on the one hand and confirming on the other, that I have terminated my political relationship with the Liberian National Union (LINU) and I am now a full-fledged member of the New Liberia Party (NLP),” Cllr. Barbu told reporter.
Cllr. Barbu said his departure from LINU is due principally to differences in policy, approach and administrative style.
“My decision to join the NLP is predicated on the fact that we have common political ideologies rooted in accountability and unwavering respect for the rule of law, humility and mutual respect, and pursuit of the greater good,” he added.
Cllr. Barbu continued: “The platform of NLP and the National Program of Team Barbu agree on these and several other issues. The approach each adopts is the administration of a country based on the merit system, service to the people, keeping Liberians at the core of national governance, and achieving maximum benefits for Liberia in the utilization of its resources.”
Months back, Cllr. Barbu declared his intention at the national headquarters of the Liberian National Union (LINU) to contest as a presidential candidate during the October 2017 presidential and legislative elections.
“Having therefore consulted you and receiving from you the unwavering affirmation that I fit the criteria set by Dr. Harry Moniba (LINU founding father) now deceased and reechoed by you I do hereby now declare to the people of the Republic of Liberia and the World that I Cllr. /Dr. Jallah A. Barbu, a humble son of this Republic, I am contesting for the presidency of Liberia in the presidential election scheduled for October 10, 2017,” Cllr. Barbu said.
Cllr. Barbu made his declaration to joined LINU under a heavy downpour of rain but that wasn’t enough to discourage his supporters but that marriage short lived. The presidential hopeful apologized to his supporters who joined him at LINU but call on them to follow him at NLP.
“I beg to seize this opportunity to thank all of the Liberian people who continue to believe in my ability; I thank especially those who were fixed on not concentrating on Liberian politics or participating in elections anymore but changed their minds because of our engagement with them; the young people. Women, elders and traditional leaders,” Cllr. Barbu added
He highlighted hardship face by the Liberian people, corruption, lack of accountability and glaring neglect by their leaders.
“Liberia’s constitutional transition that is already generating so much interest and anxiety, in some instances confusion, is a delicate process. We who have put ourselves forth to be evaluated and considered by the majority of our citizens as worthy of leading them are also confronted with issues and dire necessity to make decisions.”
Cllr. Barbu continues: “Some of the burned of such decision making lead making new friends, forming alliances and mergers or even, transitioning to another institution.”
A respectable Liberian lawyer, Cllr. Barbu believes that a country with widespread poverty, poor water and electrical services, and an arbitrary use of the rule of law, the people certainly need a better future.
Cllr. Barbu is one of the few Liberians with a doctorate degree in law and experience in government and academia. In the public sector, he has served in various positions, including the Chairman of the Law Reform Commission.