MONROVIA – The Liberian People’s Party (LPP) National Executive Committee, has termed as “unconstitutional”, a “National Retreat” recently held in Gbarngba, Bong County, by certain individuals the LPP Executive Committee describes as suspended individuals, through what the LPP’s EC claims was presented as a purported National Executive Committee process.
In a press release issued a day after the “National Retreat”, the Liberia People’s Party EC noted that following a careful review of the party’s 1984 Constitution, it was declaring activities reportedly conducted during the May 2, 2026 Gbarnga gathering allegedly spearheaded by the party’s suspended Chairman, J. Yanqui Zaza, raise grave constitutional, procedural, and legal concerns, with the LPP’s EC demanding immediate clarification and constitutional redress.
The LPP’s EC maintained that the Gbarnga 2 May 2026 gathering lacks constitutional status, rejecting same as being unconstitutional and reaffirming its commitment to the party’s Constitution and the rule of law.
According to the LPP’s EC, the party’s 1984 Constitution, under Article VII, clearly establishes the lawful structures of the party as being its National Congress, National Executive Committee, National Committee, County Congresses, as well as the party’s Territorial, City, and District Organizations, pointing out that at no point does the LPP’s “Constitution establish or recognize any entity known as a “National Retreat” as a constitutional decision-making body.”
“As such, any gathering operating under that designation possesses no constitutional authority to review or amend the Party Constitution; determine leadership questions; declare or endorse candidates; issue binding policy decisions; or exercise powers reserved exclusively for the National Congress,” the LPP’s EC emphasized, warning that “any attempt to do so constitutes an unconstitutional usurpation of authority and is therefore ultra vires, null, and void ab initio.”
The LPP’s EC classified the party’s presidential candidate in the country’s 2023 election, Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe’s presence at the Gbarnga gathering on the basis of being LPP’s standard bearer, as a false representation, clarifying that Cllr. Gongloe is not the constitutional standard bearer of the Liberian People’s Party unless and until duly selected through a properly convened National Convention organized in strict compliance with the party’s Constitution and certified by the appropriate legal authority.
“The Constitution does not permit unilateral declarations, staged endorsements, or executive pronouncements to substitute for constitutional processes,” the LPP’s EC stressed, adding, “Leadership legitimacy derives solely from constitutional procedure.”
The LPP’s Executive Committee disclosed that it has respect for pending matters regarding unresolved constitutional and leadership issues before the National Elections Commission (NEC), adding that in keeping with democratic norms and institutional respect, all parties are obligated to refrain from any actions capable of prejudicing, undermining, or preempting the lawful determination of the NEC.
The Liberian People’s Party EC warned that attempts to manufacture political legitimacy while legal processes remain pending constitute a direct affront to due process.
Additionally, the LPP’s EC has raised concerns regarding what it calls public official participation in the “unconstitutional” Gbarnga gathering, noting that it is concerned over allegation of the participation of Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“Should evidence establish partisan political involvement inconsistent with Liberia’s Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees of Government, such conduct may raise serious legal and ethical concerns under provisions relating to Political neutrality of public office; Conflict of interest; Abuse of official position,” the LPP’s EC vowed, calling for an independent scrutiny of any such conduct.
Meanwhile, the Liberian People’s Party EC is demanding the immediate cessation of all unauthorized activities conducted in the name of the LPP; the withdrawal of all unconstitutional declarations arising from the Gbarnga gathering; full respect for pending processes before the NEC; strict adherence to the party’s 1984 Constitution; an independent review of any alleged violations of Liberia’s Code of Conduct; and the restoration of constitutional discipline and institutional order within the LPP.
