By Bill W. Cooper
The internal political turmoil within the Liberia People’s Party (LPP) is said to be far from over as the embattled National Chairman, J. Yanqui Zaza, has publicly challenged the legitimacy of his suspension.
Zaza asserted that those who suspended him are themselves under suspension and lack the legal authority to take such action, and asserted, “Those group of individuals are under suspension as such, they don’t have the legal authority to suspend me.”
But in response, the embattled Chairman Zaza, in an interview with journalists late Sunday night, claimed that the decision to suspend him was not only unjust but also a violation of the same party’s constitution.
Rejecting the allegations, Zaza countered that the group’s “ring leader,” Mr. Samukai, who chaired the meeting and his allies, are the ones currently under suspension and as such, their gathering is illegal, unconstitutional and violates the party’s constitution.
According to him, the party’s NEC, after reviewing what he described as “violent activities” by Mr. Samukai and allies, suspended them for gross misbehavior, alleging that Samukai had threatened him and other Party’s officials, prompting a formal complaint to the Liberia National Police.
“The Party wrote the Ministry of Justice, requesting that they prevent Samukai and his allies from visiting the LPP headquarters. They promised to harm anyone; therefore, we restricted their access to the office until the Ministry of Justice provides clearance,” Zaza explained.
Last weekend, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the LPP, announced the indefinite suspension of Chairman Zaza; basing its decision on alleged violations of the Party’s 1984 constitution, among others.
The decision was reached during the Committee’s first sitting since the May 6, 2022, Congress, which elected the current NEC, referring the matter to the Party’s Grievance and Ethics Committee in accordance with its Constitution and NEC regulations.
The meeting also saw the appointment of the National Vice Chairman of Recruitment and Mobilizations, Tamba Samukai as Acting Chairperson up to the National Congress scheduled for March 28, 2025.
Meanwhile, the internal power struggle has now heightened and is deepening division within the LPP’s leadership as both factions continue to trade allegations ahead of the Party’s next major political activities.
As tensions continue to rise, the future of the LPP remains uncertain, and with calls for mediation growing louder among party loyalists, many are hopeful that the political leader, Taiwan Gongloe will swiftly intervene and address the impasse.
