MONROVIA, LIBERIA – On Friday, May 31, 2024, significant tension erupted at the Unity Party headquarters on Broad Street as internal factions clashed over a scheduled press conference. The dispute required a substantial presence of the Liberia National Police (LNP), highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Clinton Nyumah, a prominent member advocating for the press conference, expressed frustration over the neglect of the party headquarters by officials who were elected and subsequently appointed by President Joseph N. Boakai. Clinton stated, “For over two weeks, our elected party officials, now holding government positions, have neglected the party headquarters. We demanded they re-evaluate their positions and called for a mini-convention to elect new officials.”
The scheduled press conference, intended to address these concerns, was disrupted by another group. Clinton identified this group as “hooligans from the Secretary General and Liberia Petroleum Refinery Corporation (LPRC) Managing Director Amos Tweah Square” who allegedly disobeyed party orders and disrupted the event. Despite the disruption, Clinton insisted that there was no constitutional requirement for prior approval from the party to hold a press conference at the headquarters.
Clinton clarified the faction’s position, emphasizing, “We are not saying they should relinquish their government positions entirely. We are stating that the Code of Conduct forbids holding both party and government roles simultaneously. They must choose between their government appointments and their positions within the party.”
Attempts to engage the party Chairman, Rev. Luther Tarpeh personally have been made. Clinton noted, “The Chairman is my father. I believe in his ideology, but there is a national call for clarity on this matter.”
The event turned confrontational when hoodlums allegedly sent by the party Chairman attacked Clinton, tearing his shirt. He recounted, “They came to attack me, which is why my shirt is torn. These actions were orchestrated by individuals from Amos square.”
Porter Darwolo, another party member, echoed the need for the Chairman to choose between his party responsibilities and his government role. Darwolo stated, “The Chairman must focus on the party’s job or his government position.”
As tensions escalated, media personnel from Smart News Liberia, including reporter Roosevelt Torbor, were prevented from entering the premises of the Unity Party. Torbor reported being assaulted by a man in a blue T-shirt who attempted to block him from entering party headquarters. Despite these challenges, Torbor maintained, “We are here to report the good, the bad, and the ugly as part of our duty as a media institution.”
The dispute has highlighted deeper issues within the Unity Party regarding the management and accountability of party officials who also hold government positions. As the situation develops, party members and observers are keenly watching to see how the leadership will address these grievances and restore unity within the party ranks.
The Unity Party’s internal conflict underscores the challenges of balancing party leadership with governmental responsibilities, a theme that resonates with broader concerns about governance and accountability in Liberia.
