MONROVIA, LIBERIA — The United Citizens of Nimba for Peace and Progress (UCNPP) strongly condemns the recent unconstitutional, illegal, and politically motivated expulsion of Senator Samuel G. Kogar from the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), as announced by party Chairman Cllr. Cooper Kruah.
This reckless and arbitrary action has sparked widespread dissatisfaction and outrage across Nimba County and the party’s broader membership. As a result of this lawlessness, a huge wave of MDR executive members, party stalwarts, and grassroots supporters are expected to tender their resignations in the coming days. This mass exodus directly threatens to dismantle and derail the enduring legacy of the late, iconic founder of the MDR, Senator Prince Y. Johnson.
As an organization dedicated to upholding peace, democratic integrity, and the constitutional rights of the people of Nimba County, we view this arbitrary action not merely as an internal party matter, but as a direct assault on democratic representation and the rule of law of our country.
We unequivocally reject this decision based on five critical counts:
Unconstitutional and Illegal Expulsion:
The purported expulsion of Senator Kogar is null, void, and without legal standing. It violates both the MDR party constitution and the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia. Party leadership has no legal authority to arbitrarily purge a high-ranking executive member for exercising political independence.
Denial of Constitutional Due Process:
Chairman Kruah’s claim of providing due process is completely misleading. Article 20(a) of the Liberian Constitution guarantees the fundamental right to a fair hearing. Requesting legitimate postponements owing to official legislative duties does not constitute a waiver of rights. The investigative panel operated as prosecutor, judge, and jury in a kangaroo proceeding designed to deliver a pre-determined verdict.
State-Sponsored Intimidation:
This action represents calculated state-sponsored political intimidation meant to coerce elected leaders into blind submission by deploying armed police at the headquarters. Using party mechanisms to harass and marginalize lawmakers who refuse to bow to executive pressure sets a dangerous precedent for our democracy.
Suppression of Free Speech:
The party leadership explicitly admitted that Senator Kogar’s public commentary regarding the 19M and 300M drugs burst in the country triggered this crackdown, exposing a deliberate intent to silence free expression. Article 15 of the Liberian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech. Being part of a political coalition does not require elected officials to surrender their voice or compromise their duty to speak truth to power.
Violations of the National Code of Conduct
Chairman Cooper Kruah currently serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet while simultaneously exercising executive leadership and presiding over political purges within the MDR. By holding political party leadership while serving as a cabinet minister, the Chairman is in open, continuous violation of Part V, Section 5.1(c) of the Code of Conduct, thereby stripping the panel of any legal standing or neutrality.
The complainant, Mr. Kelvin DJ Mataldi, is an executive presidential appointee working with the ministry of Commerce. Utilizing presidential appointees to initiate internal party purges against an elected lawmaker is an abuse of public office.
Henceforth, We the United Citizens of Nimba for Peace and Progress, call on His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to take immediate and appropriate action against Labour Minister Cooper Kruah, Assistant Minister for Alien Registration at the Ministry of Labour Raphael Donokolo II, and Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Commerce Kelvin D. J. Madaldi for the flagrant disregard of Chapter 5.1 of the Code of Conduct of Liberia.
The United Citizens of Nimba for Peace and Progress stands firmly with Senator Samuel G. Kogar. We demand that the MDR leadership immediately rescind this illegal decision before it permanently fractures the party and destroys the legacy of the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson. We call on all citizens of Nimba and lovers of democracy across Liberia to resist executive overreach, reject political witch-hunts, and defend the constitutional rights of our elected representatives.
Signed:
Executive Leadership
United Citizens of Nimba for Peace and Progress (UCNPP)
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