By Staff Writer | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – The Chairman of the ruling Unity Party has broken his silence on the controversial expulsion of Representative Yekeh Kolubah, which occurred on Friday, April 17, 2026, when 49 lawmakers signed a resolution to expel him, offering a detailed and reflective account of the political journey that led from alliance to separation, while acknowledging both gratitude and grave concern over the lawmaker’s conduct.
Writing on Saturday, April 18, 2026, Luther Tarpeh described the decision as one “with mixed feelings,” noting that despite Kolubah’s eventual fallout with the party, his contributions to the Unity Party’s 2023 electoral victory cannot be overlooked.
According to Tarpeh, Kolubah played a significant and influential role during the campaign period, particularly in shaping public sentiment against the former ruling establishment. “His unfiltered utterances against the former regime sealed and magnified the misdirection our nation was heading,” he wrote, adding that the lawmaker’s messaging resonated strongly with ordinary Liberians.
He further acknowledged Kolubah’s popularity on the campaign trail, describing him as a figure whose style of communication connected with grassroots voters. “Yekeh was truly entertaining and at the same time spoke the language the common man understood,” Tarpeh noted, recalling chants that branded him as a “George Weah nightmare” during rallies.
However, Tarpeh said relations began to deteriorate after Kolubah shifted from ally to critic of the Unity Party-led government. He explained that despite repeated attacks and allegations, party stalwarts initially chose silence, believing his behavior was consistent with his known political character.
The turning point, according to Tarpeh, came when Kolubah made controversial remarks regarding land tensions involving Guinea in Lofa County. He said the lawmaker’s suggestion that the disputed land belonged to Guinea went beyond political rhetoric and entered the realm of national security concern.
“That was not just the usual Yekeh political talk,” Tarpeh stated. “It was an intentional statement aimed at emboldening Guinean authorities to remain intransigent in their effort to provoke our national sovereignty.” He added that the remarks risked undermining Liberia’s territorial integrity at a sensitive moment.
Tarpeh argued that Kolubah’s comments created diplomatic and political complications, asserting that they were seized upon in a way that could embolden external claims. “This became the straw that broke the camel’s back,” he said, emphasizing that national unity must override partisan differences during territorial disputes.
He further warned that Kolubah’s political style thrives in controversy, suggesting that his presence in the Legislature during a period of heightened border sensitivity posed what he described as a “serious threat to national sovereignty.” According to him, lawmakers must exercise restraint when addressing matters of national security.
“Across the world, when it comes to the invasion of a country, everyone unites against a common enemy irrespective of political party,” Tarpeh wrote, contrasting that principle with Kolubah’s public remarks, which he said weakened Liberia’s unified stance.
Calling for broader reforms, Tarpeh stressed the need to raise educational and ethical standards for individuals serving in the National Legislature. He argued that legislative decisions carry national consequences and require deeper understanding of diplomacy and governance.
Concluding his statement, Tarpeh distanced the Unity Party from personal animosity toward Kolubah, insisting that the expulsion was driven by principle rather than politics. “Honorable Yekeh, please do not see the Unity Party as the brain behind your removal,” he wrote. “Your utterances were not carefully thought through when you made them. I wish you well in your next endeavor.”
