MONROVIA – Matthew Nyanplu, a declared contender for the 2029 presidential elections, has announced his decision to boycott the ongoing Liberia Diasporas Conference taking place in Arlington, Virginia, citing strong objections to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s leadership.
In a special statement issued on Saturday, September 27, 2025, Nyanplu congratulated Liberians attending the conference but made it clear he would not participate, arguing that he does not recognize President Boakai as a legitimate leader.
“I regret to inform you that I will not be participating in this conference. I do not recognize the current lead convener, Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who currently serves as President of our nation,” Nyanplu declared.
He accused the President of violating the constitution and betraying his oath of office, pointing to the removal of House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and what he described as defiance of the Supreme Court of Liberia. According to Nyanplu, these actions stripped the presidency of its reverence and credibility.
“By Mr. Boakai’s conduct to preside over the unlawful removal of Speaker Fonati Koffa and his open disobedience to our nation’s highest court, the Supreme Court of Liberia, he has removed from himself the aura of that high office of our land, and he should not be accorded any respect and privileges of that office,” he said.
The opposition hopeful further claimed that the President’s actions, particularly in connection with the 2025 national budget deliberated and passed under Speaker Richard Koon, amounted to treason under Article 76 of the Liberian Constitution. He described Boakai and members of his government as “nothing short of common criminals who should be answering to charges.”
Nyanplu insisted that under such conditions, he could not in good conscience participate in any conference convened under the President’s authority. He expressed doubts about the conference producing any meaningful outcome.
“I cannot, in good conscience, sit in at any event convened by Mr. Boakai. He and his government have committed treason against our state and they must be held to answer,” he said.
Despite his boycott, Nyanplu pledged to continue rallying Liberians both at home and abroad to “reclaim, redeem, and reset” the country, promising to deliver democratic leadership and sound economic governance if elected in 2029.
