LBA Leadership Crisis Resurfaces As Rival Group Claims Legitimacy

The ongoing leadership crisis within the Liberia Basketball Association (LBA) has reignited, as a rival faction claims legitimacy over the organization, further deepening the dispute surrounding the Association’s governance.
A recent statement issued by a faction within the LBA, led by President Thosh Rufus Anderson, has accused the current leadership under Abraham Samukai of misrepresenting themselves as the rightful executives of the Association. The group warns that Samukai and his team are falsely claiming control and engaging in unauthorized activities that threaten the integrity of the LBA.
The release, which was attributed to the LBA’s Executive Committee led by Anderson, condemns Samukai’s leadership, specifically accusing his group of issuing directives regarding team registrations and soliciting funds from businesses and public organizations under the LBA’s name, without authorization. The warning emphasizes that these actions could have serious legal consequences for anyone who engages with the individuals falsely claiming to represent the Association.
The controversy over leadership began following the October 31, 2023, Elective Congress, where Abraham Samukai was declared the winner of the presidential race by a narrow margin of one vote over rival candidate Jacob Kabakole. However, Kabakole, citing election irregularities, contested the results, eventually taking his grievances to the Civil Law Court of Liberia after failing to resolve the matter through internal mechanisms.
On August 15, 2024, Judge Ousman F. Feika ruled in favor of Kabakole, determining that his right to due process had been violated. As a result, the court ordered the LBA to reconstitute its election committee under the leadership of Darlington Cheeks, and mandated that all parties revert to the Status Quo Ante until the investigation into the alleged irregularities was completed.
Following the court’s ruling, Anderson’s faction reconstituted the election committee, which subsequently submitted its findings to the Executive Committee on January 23, 2025. The findings are currently under review, with further communications expected soon regarding the next steps in resolving the dispute.
In light of the ongoing turmoil, the LBA has urged club presidents, team owners, players, referees, coaches, and other basketball stakeholders to refrain from engaging with individuals who falsely claim to represent the Association. The release stresses that any involvement with such individuals could lead to potential legal consequences.
In addition to the warning, the LBA called for those involved in unauthorized activities to cease immediately or face possible disciplinary actions.
The Liberia Basketball Association remains committed to ensuring fair governance and resolving the ongoing leadership dispute, as it seeks to restore order and maintain the integrity of basketball in Liberia.