Liberia’s Unity Party Faces Backlash Over Alleged Code of Conduct Violation in Kogar Endorsement
High-Ranking Officials Accused of Hypocrisy in Nimba County Campaign Rally
GANTA, Nimba County – Liberia’s ruling Unity Party is facing intense scrutiny after multiple high-ranking officials, including presidential appointees, openly endorsed opposition candidate Samuel G. Kogar of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) at a campaign rally. The controversial endorsement has sparked allegations of hypocrisy and potential violations of Liberia’s Code of Conduct.
Clear Violation of Government Ethics Rules
The endorsement, occurring just days before the crucial April 22 senatorial by-election in Nimba County, has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups and opposition leaders. At issue is Section 5.1(c) of Liberia’s Code of Conduct, which explicitly prohibits presidential appointees from participating in political campaigns.
“All officials appointed by the President of the Republic of Liberia shall not serve on a campaign team of any political party, or the campaign of any independent candidate,” the Code states.
Prominent Officials Involved in Controversy
Among the officials present at the endorsement event were:
- Luther Tarpeh, National Chairman and NPA Board Chair
- Ben A. Fofana, LTA Commissioner
- Cornelia Togba, Deputy Minister of State
- Whroway Bryant, Montserrado County Superintendent
- Multiple other high-ranking government officials
Stark Contrast to Previous Stance
The controversy is particularly striking given the Unity Party’s previous criticism of similar actions by the then-ruling CDC in 2020. At that time, the party had declared: “Democratic governance is meaningless when the laws governing the conduct of elections are disrespected, ignored and violated.”
Formal Complaints and Public Outcry
The Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) has filed a formal complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman, calling the endorsement “a blatant disregard for the law” that threatens Liberia’s democratic process. Religious leaders have also condemned what they describe as government double standards.
Broader Governance Concerns
The incident follows a pattern of controversial personnel decisions by the Boakai administration, including the removal of tenured officials from positions at the Governance Commission and Liberia Telecommunications Authority. Critics argue these actions demonstrate a troubling politicization of government institutions.
As the April 22 election approaches, the Unity Party’s handling of these ethical and legal challenges may significantly impact both the Nimba County race and public perception of the administration’s commitment to democratic principles.
This article summarizes an original report from FrontPage Africa. Read the full story here.