UP Chairman Defends Lawmaker’s Expulsion Over ‘Dangerous’ Sovereignty Claims
Monrovia, Liberia – Rev. Luther Tarpeh, chairman of the ruling Unity Party, has spoken out against Yekeh Kolubah’s contentious removal from the House of Representatives, characterizing it as an appropriate reaction to remarks he claims endangered Liberia’s national sovereignty.
Tarpeh acknowledged Kolubah’s crucial role in the 2023 election victory that brought the Unity Party-led “Rescue Team” to power in a Facebook post from the party’s point of view. He noted that Kolubah’s populist rhetoric and unrelenting criticism of the previous administration energized grassroots support.
“His contribution to our ascendancy cannot be erased. He connected with ordinary Liberians in a way few politicians could, and for that, he deserves recognition,” he said.
Tarpeh emphasized that the lawmaker’s recent remarks about the persistent border tension in Lofa County, however, were a turning moment that could not be disregarded. According to reports, Kolubah, who is known for his direct and frequently controversial attitude, said that disputed terrain along the Liberia-Guinea border belongs to Guinea. Tarpeh called this remark “reckless, unfounded, and deeply troubling.”
“This was not ordinary political talk,” the chairman stated. Such remarks run the risk of bolstering foreign claims and jeopardizing Liberia’s geographical integrity at a time when our sovereignty is being tested. He continued that the party has previously refrained from engaging in what he described as “predictable political theatrics” in response to Kolubah’s ongoing complaints and accusations against the administration.
Silence becomes irresponsible at some point. According to Tarpeh, “it raises serious concerns about judgement and national loyalty when a national leader appears to side with an external claim against Liberia without evidence.”
Additionally, he presented the expulsion as a larger institutional reaction by Kolubah’s legislative colleagues to what they saw as behaviour incompatible with the national interest rather than as a politically driven action by the Unity Party.
According to Rev. Tarpeh, conflicts are normal in any democracy. However, solidarity across party lines is necessary to protect the nation’s sovereignty. He also cautioned that at times of increased national tension, political behavior that thrives on controversy and disturbance could be dangerous, especially when it comes to issues involving territorial conflicts.
The head of the Unity Party also utilized the occasion to reiterate demands for improved standards in Liberia’s legislature, highlighting the necessity of increased professional and intellectual rigor among elected politicians. “This situation underscores the urgency of raising the benchmark for those who serve in public office,” Tarpeh added.
Tarpeh was sympathetic to Kolubah and wished him well in his future endeavors, even though he vehemently defended the expulsion. “Honourable Kolubah should not believe that his removal was planned by the Unity Party. Unfortunately, his own comments started this process,” he continued.
Reactions to Kolubah’s expulsion have been divided throughout the nation. While some Liberians applaud the measure as a defence of national dignity, others see it as a harsh reaction to a contentious yet vocal political figure.
Reported: Prince Saah
