Monrovia – Liberia Football Association says it has begun addressing an injunction filed against its election by one of the presidential candidate, George Solo.
Report by Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
A tense election process saw Solo earning four votes and his rivals, Mustapha Raji and Musa Shannon accumulating 16 and 13 votes, respectively.
None of the candidates were able to obtain 50 percent plus one vote – which means a candidate, must win at least 18 votes to be declared winner.
The injunction was placed on election day by the 6th Judicial Court after Solo complained that presidential ccandidate Mustapha Raji does not possess a college degree which violates the election guidelines.
However, the LFA Elections Committee certified Raji to participate in the race.
LFA Election Committee Chairperson and Co-Chair Sarfuah Gray and Arthur Johnson explained to the delegates after their break that she received a writ of injunction from the court, meaning they could not continue the election as she intended to respect the laws.
Cllr. Johnson, who received and signed for the court document on behalf of the committee stated that they are going to respond within three days to the court.
The LFA disclosed in a release issued Monday April 16, 2018 that it authorized Sesay, Johnson and Associates to vacate the preliminary injunction and return to status quo for runoff election.
According to the football house, the decision was made following a meeting with outgoing president Musa Bility on April 16, 2018.
The LFA has meanwhile assured stakeholders that it is doing everything possible to have the electoral process completed and appealed for patience.
A winner from the runoff between Shannon and Raji will bring an end Bility’s eight-year rule as president.
Solo decision to take the matter to the civil law court is against football, according to Bility and said a meeting will be called to take action against the former IE defender.
“As the rules of football is clear, we will take action in the soonest possible time against whomsoever who has brought this delay to football.”
All efforts to contact George Solo to speak on the issue did not materialize as he was nowhere to be seen.
Prior to the injunction, BYC president Sekou Konneh was elected Vice President for Administration, while Wilmot Smith ascended to Vice President for Operations. Nine persons were elected to the Executive Committee including Beatrice Kpoto, Pawala Janyan, Quiwu P. Yekeh, Kellie Miller, Joseph Kollie, Kelvin Batoh, Ivan Brown, NYenmah NYanway and Henry Flomo.
Former Mighty Barrolle Team Manager Kerlie Miller and Cllr. Joseph Kollie from the Liberia Football Referees Association got 24 and 21 votes each with journalist Henry Flomo, NPA president Nyemah Nyanway and Tony FC Anthony Deinukar completing the listing.