By: Stephen G. Fellajuah
Email fellajuahstepheng@gmail.com
Liberty Party (LP) embattled National Chairman Musa Hassan Bility has filed two lawsuits to the Supreme Court of Liberia against the action of the National Election Commission (NEC) over its decision to halt the party’s planned national convention in Gbarnga, Bong County.
Bility termed the action of the NEC to halt the LP planned national convention as shameful, disgraceful, and disgusting that a mature body like the NEC which should be independent will be behaving childish and reversing their decision.
Liberty Party convention was scheduled for November 4-6, 2022. He narrated that the board of commissioners on two occasions has ruled and informed Grand Bassa County senator Nyonblee Kangar-Lawrence that she has no authority to withdraw the LP constitution only if she goes to convention and amend it and or no appealable Verde.
The LP Chairman called a major news conference yesterday, November 21, 2022, at the LP 19th Street Sinkor Party Headquarters. He revealed while displaying documents that they have filed the lawsuits and writs against the NEC because of their decision to revert their previous decision authorizing LP convention.
He said the lawsuits seek from the Supreme Court to give interpretation and take the appropriate action because they are convinced that the NEC action is illegal and wrong.
‘’This morning, we authorized our legal team headed by Cllr. Hilton Poweo to file two writ/lawsuit at the Supreme Court against the National Election Commission. Our legal team has filed a writ appealing to the Supreme Court to review the decision and action of the NEC and interpreter it’s and make the appropriate action. Our lawyers also file a second writ to review the illegally action of the NEC board of Commissioners to attempt to undo what it has do previously’’ Mr. Bility disclosed.
‘’Sadly, we have noticed a very dangerous steps being taken by the NEC to engage in activities that it does not have the authority to do. The NEC under our law does not have the authority to reverse itself. It’s only the Supreme Court and the national legislature that have such power’’ he noted.
Bility pointed out that all of the legal issues in the LP has gone to the National Election Commission and they have made decision on them, therefore, the current hearing officer who is behaving as if he doesn’t remember his decision has ruled in the very case regarding the constitution of LP that they don’t have authority to preside over anything regarding the LP constitution because the board of commissioners has already decided.
However, Mr. Bility added that now for the NEC to revert it decision to stopped their convention is wrong because they don’t have that authority unless they are in violation of the National Elections Commission rules, guidelines and regulation.
Mr. Bility said that for the NEC to say that because of complaint filed by the Grand Bassa County senator and Liberty Party political leader Nyonblee Kangar-Lawrence faction is what they are prohibiting them from having their convention is wrong because they don’t have that authority.
Mr. Bility argued that only a court of competent jurisdiction that have such authority to halt their national convention therefore, the NEC is wrong, and they are asking the Supreme Court to review the decision of the NEC and make interpretation and take the appropriate action.
‘’The danger with the NEC action is that the country is going to election. However, they are sending a bad signal that whosever gets on the street and beat drum in your ears and then the next day you change your mind. Where are you taking our country? The people of this country are very peaceful’’ he noted.
The Liberian businessman turned politician disclosed that they don’t intent to march at the United States embassy and others diplomatic missions in the country as it was done with the other faction; rather, they have placed their faith in the Supreme Court.
Speaking further he indicated that it’s their hope that justice will be done and that for once the entire Liberty Party conflict and saga will come to an end, adding that they will accept the outcome of the Supreme Court decision.
‘’Whatever is it we will accept the Supreme Court decision. If the vandalizing, recklessness that is going on, lack of regards for laws. If those are the right things to do and the court made such decision, we will accept it”, he stated. However, he said they believe they believe that the law is on their side.
