PHOTO: Chief Moses Kollie, Political Leader, LPDP
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com.
The Liberia People Democratic Party (LPDP) has elected a new person to replace its outgoing Political Leader, Jeneka Alex Tyler, Sr., more than a week after former Speaker Tyler crossed over the camp of Unity Party Presidential aspirant, former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai.
Tyler has opposed the LPDP’s backing of President George Weah’s presidential bid in the upcoming October 10 election. LPDP is one of the three parties making up the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
Chief Kollie is former Representative of Lofa County and his most recent post in the CDC government was head of the Civil Aviation Authority. But he resigned recently to contest as Senator for Lofa in the October poll.
The decision to replace former Speaker Tyler was reached through a resolution signed by more than two-thirds of the National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the party, in an extra-ordinary sitting, pursuant to Article 5, Section “C” of its By- Laws/Constitution which states:
“There shall be special sessions or mini conventions held to replace any official who shall contravene the By-Laws and Constitution of the Party, or who shall relinquish his/her position as a result of resignation, disability or death.”
In the extra-ordinary sitting, the party’s Chairman, Chief Moses Y. Kollie was elected as the new political leader of the party, pending a special national \convention to be held in 2024. As a direct consequence of the vacancy created by the ascendency of Chairman Kollie as Acting Political Leader, the NEC also named D. Wa Hne, Jr. as its Acting National Chair. Prior to this new development, Mr. Hne served as National Vice Chair for Political Affairs of the party.
Former Speaker resigned his post as Political Leader of the party and also suspended his membership with the party on June 1, 2023, citing lack of trust in the new framework document of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change as main reason for his action.
PDP formally acknowledges receipt of Tyler’s resignation
In a related development, the LPDP has officially acknowledged receipt of the resignation letter of its Legislative Caucus’ Head, Grand Gedeh County Electoral District #2 Representative, Alex Chelsea Grant.
Representative Grant’s letter, which was received on June 8, 2023, thas declared support for Joseph Boakai in the October elections.
At the close of the extra-ordinary sitting, the party recommitted its unwavering support to the reelection bid of President George Weah in the impending October 10, 2023 presidential and legislative elections, thereby vowing to vigorously campaign through the length and breadth of Liberia.
The LPDP is a constituent member of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), and others are Congress for Democratic Change and the National Patriotic Party.
In recent times, six other political parties have declared their membership of the coalition.