MONROVIA – Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, Assistant Professor of Law at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, has cautioned that the growing trend of civil society advocates transitioning into political actors poses serious risks to democratic accountability and public trust.
Writing on Tuesday, October 6, 2025, Cllr. Gbala underscored the vital role civil society plays in African democracies as “the conscience of the state,” holding leaders accountable on issues of corruption, governance, and service delivery. He argued that the moral authority of advocacy groups depends on their independence, fearlessness, and integrity, qualities he believes are compromised when activists cross over into politics.
“In many African societies, civil society and advocacy groups perform a vital function as the conscience of the state, holding government officials to account on corruption, governance, and service delivery. Their moral authority depends on being independent, fearless, and uncompromised,” Cllr. Gbala stated. “Yet when such advocates abandon that role to become political candidates, accepting funds from public actors, contesting for power, and eventually joining the ranks of the very institutions they once judged, they risk eroding the legitimacy of both advocacy and politics.”
He drew on examples from other African countries to illustrate his argument. In Kenya, Boniface Mwangi gained a reputation as a fearless anti-corruption activist before entering electoral politics, a move that led to accusations of opportunism and weakened his ability to critique governance objectively. In South Africa, Zackie Achmat, a renowned HIV and social justice campaigner, contested as an independent candidate in 2024, sparking debate over whether activism and political ambition can coexist without blurring important democratic lines.
Cllr. Gbala emphasized that the shift from “critic to contender” often undermines democratic space by confusing motives and weakening public trust. “My disagreement with advocates transitioning into political actors is rooted in the damage this causes to democratic integrity,” he wrote. “It breeds hypocrisy as individuals who once decried corruption may be tempted or compelled by the same incentives and compromises they once fought. Once inside power, the capacity to remain a consistent and fearless critic is sharply constrained by the pressures of alliances, party loyalties, and electoral calculations.”
Turning to the Liberian context, he pointed to what he described as an emerging pattern of activism serving as a launchpad for political careers. He highlighted the case of Montserrado County Senator Darius Dillon, popularly known as “The Light,” who gained national attention for his strong anti-corruption stance but has since faced criticism for being subdued by the trappings of political office.
Cllr. Gbala also referenced Martin Kollie, a self-styled “exiled activist,” who currently runs scholarship and humanitarian programs with unclear funding sources. He noted growing indications that Kollie is positioning himself for a senatorial bid in 2025. According to him, these developments reflect a broader shift in which advocacy is increasingly viewed as a stepping stone to political power.
“If history is to be our guide, then let advocates remain advocates if they are indeed sincere in their advocacy,” Cllr. Gbala concluded, warning that the erosion of civil society’s independence could leave society with fewer moral voices to hold power to account.
