LIBERIA – Matthew Nyanplu, leader of the newly formed Party for the People, has made a bold call for the impeachment of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, accusing him of treason and gross violations of Liberia’s Constitution. In a detailed statement issued on January 3, Nyanplu argued that President Boakai has undermined the very Constitution he swore to uphold, urging the House of Representatives (HoR) to initiate immediate impeachment proceedings.
According to Nyanplu, the President’s actions constitute a betrayal of his oath of office. He cited Article 62 of the Liberian Constitution, which permits the impeachment of a president for treason, bribery, and violations of the Constitution. Nyanplu accused President Boakai of subverting constitutional provisions by conducting official business with what he described as “renegade lawmakers” in the House. These lawmakers, he claimed, had violated constitutional procedures by refusing to recognize J. Fonati Koffa as the legitimate Speaker.
Nyanplu argued that the refusal of certain lawmakers to sit under Speaker Koffa’s gavel does not invalidate his constitutional authority. He further alleged that President Boakai and members of his administration deliberately bypassed constitutional requirements by engaging in discussions with this faction. Such actions, Nyanplu said, undermine the constitutional principles of quorum and the legitimate commencement of legislative sessions, as outlined in Article 33 of the Constitution and the HoR’s rules.
He also accused President Boakai of conspiring to create an artificial absence of the Speaker in the legislative process, effectively enabling the renegade lawmakers to operate illegally. By allowing executive branch officials to engage with this faction, Nyanplu asserted, the President demonstrated complicity in undermining the Constitution.
Citing Article 76(a)(5) of the Constitution, Nyanplu claimed that President Boakai’s actions amounted to treason, as they represented an attempt to subvert the Constitution through means that jeopardize its integrity. He argued that such grave offenses warrant impeachment, stating that President Boakai has not only abrogated the Constitution but has also betrayed the trust of the Liberian people.
This dramatic call for impeachment comes from a man who was once a staunch ally of President Boakai and the ruling Unity Party (UP). Nyanplu, a former Assistant Minister for Information Services at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT), played a key role in President Boakai’s rise to power in the 2023 elections. However, his relationship with the administration soured following his suspension over remarks critical of the government’s handling of the controversial US$25 million NEKOTECH Scholarship Scheme, which he publicly labeled a “scam” and a “national disgrace.”
Nyanplu’s criticism of the scholarship program, which he believed to be riddled with corruption, led to his indefinite suspension for what the government described as a breach of internal communication protocols. Shortly after, he resigned from his position and severed ties with the Unity Party, marking a sharp turn in his political career.
Since leaving the administration, Nyanplu has emerged as one of its most vocal critics. He has accused President Boakai’s government of betraying the principles of accountability and transparency that it once championed. Now positioning himself as an alternative to the current leadership, Nyanplu has announced plans to contest the 2029 presidential elections on the ticket of his Party for the People.
This latest call for impeachment further solidifies Nyanplu’s status as a leading opposition figure. However, his accusations are likely to deepen political tensions in an already polarized environment. Critics argue that his motivations may be politically driven, while supporters see his stance as a necessary push for accountability in governance.
Nyanplu concluded his statement with a direct appeal to the HoR, urging them to act swiftly in defense of the Constitution. “The President has committed treason against the Republic of Liberia,” he stated unequivocally. “This is an impeachable offense, and we call on the House of Representatives to commence proceedings for his removal without delay.”
