Monrovia-A major rift has erupted within the Congress for Democratic Change- USA Chapter, CDC-USA, ahead of its scheduled July to August 2026 Convention in Philadelphia, as at least three state chapters have officially withdrawn from the gathering.
By Willie N. Tokpah
A communication signed by members of the aggrieved chapter members has criticized the convention leadership of constitutional violations, exclusion, procedural irregularities and undermining the legitimate leadership structure of the organization.
The boycott, announced by the Iowa, Texas and Minnesota Chapters, represents one of the most significant internal challenges confronting CDC-USA in recent years and threatens to cast a shadow over a convention expected to elect new leadership and chart the future direction of the party’s diaspora organization.
In separate official communications, copies of which are in the possession of FrontPage Africa(FPA), the chapters alleged that the convention process has been compromised by what they describe as unconstitutional decisions, questionable delegate accreditation, disputed chapter registrations and a failure by national leaders to resolve longstanding internal disputes before proceeding with elections.
The CDC-USA Iowa Chapter, headed by Chairman Zleh Quity Totaye Sr., formally notified Officer-in-Charge Rev. Solomon Muin that the chapter would not participate in the Philadelphia Convention.
In a letter dated July 27, Totaye accused the Officer-in-Charge of deliberately withholding critical convention documents from the chapter’s leadership.
“CDC USA Iowa Chapter will not be at the Convention this July to August 2026, because you deliberately and willfully refused to furnish my office with the copies of those forms that were clandestinely submitted to your office under the period of darkness unknown to my office as Chairman of CDC USA Iowa Chapter,” Totaye wrote.
The Iowa leadership also alleged that documents concerning the convention were submitted without the knowledge or approval of the chapter’s elected leadership.
According to the chapter, members remain unaware of who signed the documents, who authorized them and who was nominated to represent Iowa at the convention.
The chapter further claimed it repeatedly requested copies of the documents but was denied access, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the convention process.
It also accused individuals of allegedly presenting false information to convention officials while questioning the role of the Officer-in-Charge in accepting those submissions.
As a result, Iowa announced that it would neither attend the convention nor recognize any delegate claiming to represent the chapter officially.
“Any member that will be going to the Convention will be doing that individually but not CDC USA Iowa Chapter’s member or registration for CDC USA Iowa Chapter. I urge you not to accept anyone as a delegate or the registration for CDC USA Iowa Chapter,” the chapter stated.
Similarly, the CDC-USA Texas Chapter issued an official declaration announcing its withdrawal from the convention, citing what it described as widespread injustice, constitutional breaches and a lack of internal democracy.
In its statement signed by Acting Chairlady Sarah Nyepon, the Texas Chapter criticised the suspension and removal of the Yahaya Talata Sheriff administration and challenged the subsequent appointment of an Officer-in-Charge.
Texas argued that the Officer-in-Charge lacked constitutional authority to organise committees, supervise the convention or conduct elections.
The chapter also alleged that prospective candidates were denied equal opportunities to contest the elections and accused convention organizers of permitting questionable chapter registrations without proper investigations.
The Texas leadership maintained that repeated appeals for dialogue and institutional reforms were ignored, leaving the chapter with no option but to boycott the Philadelphia gathering.
“The great Texas Chapter has therefore resolved to stay away from the planned events of convention and elections dated for July–August 2026 in Philadelphia,” the statement declared.
Despite the official boycott, Texas clarified that individual members remain free to attend the convention in their personal capacities.
The dispute appears to extend beyond the convention itself.
The protesting chapters contend that the CDC National Executive Committee in Liberia has consistently interfered in the affairs of CDC-USA while allegedly failing to respect the autonomy of the diaspora organization.
They also criticised what they described as weak conflict-resolution efforts by CDC National Chairman Janga Kowo and the party’s leadership, arguing that unresolved grievances have deepened divisions among members abroad.
The CDC-USA Minnesota Chapter, under the leadership of Chairman George B. Harris, has also aligned itself with the concerns raised by Iowa and Texas, further expanding opposition to the convention process.
The coordinated boycott now raised fresh questions about the legitimacy of the convention and whether decisions taken during the gathering will enjoy broad acceptance among CDC-USA chapters.
As of publication, Rev. Solomon Muin, the CDC-USA convention committee and the CDC National Executive Committee in Liberia had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the official communications.
The Philadelphia convention is expected to proceed despite the boycott, but the absence of multiple recognized chapters is likely to intensify debates over the credibility, inclusiveness and constitutional legitimacy of the process.
Since CDC USA was founded, this is the first time the will be a white ballot convention.
Political observers say the unfolding dispute could have lasting implications for the unity of the CDC’s diaspora structure and its future engagement with the party’s national leadership in Liberia.
