By Bill W. Cooper
The leadership crisis within the Liberian Peoples’ Party (LPP) has taking another trend, as the National Executive Committee has officially informed the National Elections (NEC) of the suspension of its chairman, J. Yanqui Zaza for time indefinite.
This decision comes amid growing tensions within the party, which has been struggling with internal disputes and allegations of mismanagement, coupled with the suspension of Chairman Zaza and other officials.
In a letter addressed to the NEC Chairperson, Davidetta Browne-Lasannah, the LPP’s executive committee cited a series of violations of party protocols and a lack of transparency in Zaza’s leadership as key reasons for his suspension.
However, Zaza who has been a controversial figure within the party, has denied the allegations, claiming that those who suspended him lack the legal authority to do so as they themselves are already under suspension.
But the LPP NEC, headed by its Acting Chairman, Tamba Samukai said, “The National Committee of the Liberian People’s Party wishes to notify you through the National Secretariat of Mr. J. Yanqui Zaza’s suspension by the body for time indefinite.”
“Our action is triggered as a result of Mr. Zaza’s decision to deliberately undermine, impeding and attempting to obstruct the sitting of the party’s NEC, coupled with unilaterally making official pronouncements and media publications on behalf of the Party.
This, in our minds is an act of usurping the functions of the party’s National Secretariat, unconstitutionally attempting to remove Chairpersons of County Congresses, National youth Wing Chairman, National Vice Chairman for Recruitments and Mobilizations, National Women Wing Chairlady,” the LPP NEC noted.
Other charges levied against Zaza are the withholding of party documents from the relevant party authorities, consistently insulting and maligning members of the NEC, and carrying out major party activities without an approved ‘National Party Work Plan ‘and ‘National Party Budget’ by the National Committee.
The LPP’s letter added, “We have hereby forwarded him to the Grievance and Ethics Committee set up by the body for speedy investigation, upon which the National Committee will determine the next course of action in keeping with the Party’s Constitution and the NEC Rules and Guideline for Political Parties.”
Meanwhile, with the NEC now tasked with reviewing the situation, the LPP is now finding itself through the intensification of the internal strife while trying to maintain its position in the country’s competitive political landscape.
As the party gears up for future elections, especially the 2029 general elections, the outcome of this leadership dispute could have significant implications for its future and chances of running Liberia if the situation is not addressed in the soonest possible time.
