By: Barclay Karnley Jr
MONROVIA: The National Patriotic Party (NPP) has suspended three Executive Committee members over their endorsement of a proposed opposition unity roundtable initiated by former President George Weah, in a move that could reignite longstanding internal divisions within the former ruling party.
Those suspended are Emmanuel Goll, Neileh Daitouah and Daoda Nesco. The three NPP individuals allegedly used the NPP's official letterhead to issue a statement, endorsing the proposed opposition roundtable, prompting disciplinary action from the party leadership.
The suspension was announced following a press conference attended by only a few members of the party's Executive Committee, including National Chairman, George Mulbah; Secretary General, Andrew Peters who also serves as Executive Director of the National Identification Registry, and Allison Barco.
The latest action comes amid growing tension within the NPP as some party members have accused Chairman Mulbah of secretly holding employment with the government of Liberia, an allegation that has added to disagreements within the party.
The three suspended Executive Committee members are known supporters of the NPP's Standard Bearer, former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, who is currently facing prosecution for drug trafficking and money laundering.
The NPP has experienced factional disputes for years, and the latest suspensions could trigger another serious struggle over control of the party, particularly as preparations begin for a convention expected in December this year.
Chairman Mulbah has reportedly instructed the Party Secretary General Andrew Peters to prepare activities leading to the convention, placing renewed attention on the party's leadership structure and political direction ahead of the 2029 presidential and legislative elections.
Some senior NPP members, who spoke on condition of anonymity for political reason, about the growing disagreement, alleged that the faction associated with Chairman Mulbah and Senator James Biney could use the period of Howard-Taylor's legal difficulties to push for the election of new party leadership and potentially a new standard bearer.
Those claims have not been independently verified, and the Mulbah-Biney camp has not publicly confirmed or denied any plan to replace Howard-Taylor as standard bearer.
The dispute comes as former President Weah seeks to bring opposition political parties and stakeholders together through the proposed unity roundtable ahead of the 2029 elections.
While some NPP officials have shown support for the initiative, the party leadership's disciplinary action suggests there remains significant disagreement over how the NPP should engage with broader opposition political activities.
With a convention approaching and Howard-Taylor's legal case continuing, the latest suspensions could deepen the struggle over the future leadership and political direction of one of Liberia's longstanding political parties.
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