PHOTO: (L-R) Bernard Benson alias “DJ Blue” takes oath as PLP Chairman while Tapple Doe is sworn in as standard bearer
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The 2023 special national convention of the People’s Liberation Party has ended with the elections of Bernard Benson as National Chairman and Tapple Doe as political leader.
Bernard Benson replaced the National Chairman who was elected political leader while Tapple Doe replaced Dr. Daniel Cassel who died in the United States few months ago as a result of heart failure.
Speaking shortly after he was elected recently, Bernard Benson, who is popularly known as “D J Blue’, promised to move the People’s Liberation Party to a higher level where others will be rushing to declare their membership.
Mr. Benson, who is aspirant for a legislative seat in District 17, Montserrado County, said he will also endeavor to keep the dream of the party’s late vision bearer, Dr. Daniel Cassel alive.
D J Blue indicated that his election as PLP National Chairman has added more energy to mobilize for more members as the party has been decentralized and has a foot hold in the 15 sub political divisions.
For his part, the newly elected political leader of the People’s Liberation Party, Tapple Doe disclosed that the party will not be fielding a presidential candidate as a mark of respect for its vision bearer Dr. Daniel Ca ssel this year.
According to him, the PLP is opened to negotiation to all side of the political divide for a way forward in this year’s presidential and legislative elections.
He added that fielding candidates for legislative seats will be based on the outcome of the negotiation with the political party, collaboration, coalition or bloc.
Asked about which of the side his party is holding talks with, he replied that the PLP is opened to hold discussion with all sides and negotiation is still going on.
The national convention, held under the theme: “Rebranding the Liberation Agenda for National Renewal,” brought delegates from all over the country.
Rapid growth of PLP
The PLP was certificated by the National Elections Commission on December 22, 2020 after meeting the requirement as a full fledge political party in Liberia.
The party grew rapidly due to the display of wealth by its standard bearer, Dr. Daniel Cassel, whose gained popularity as a humanitarian, the importation of fleet of buses and aborted attempt to procure an helicopter.
Dr. Cassell, who was a Behavioral Specialist Consultant in the Philadelphia and Bucks County areas in the United States, also established the Kwenyan Professional Health Services, a mental health/behavioral and substance abuse agency.
This paper gathered that his agency on many occasions billed insurance companies multiple times – even for services not performed.
His company, according to the source, allegedly created fake vouchers for clients to the insurance company multiple times in the tone of US$3.7 million.
Most of the funds, according to investigators, were funneled through his Cassell Foundation – the foundation through which he carried out his philanthropic activities.
Dr. Cassell died suddenly on December 25, 2022 while returning home from physical training in the United States.