The internal leadership battle tearing through the Liberian People’s Party (LPP) intensified on June 2, 2026, at the National Elections Commission (NEC) following cross-examination by both the complaint and defense team. Tamba Samukai, the leader of a rival faction seeking control of the party, while taking the witness stand, defended himself and other party executives’ actions against the LPP embattled chairman J. Yanqui Zaza.
Following hours of testimony and cross-examination by lawyers representing Zaza, the NEC Hearing Officer then adjourned proceedings and scheduled the matter to continue on yesterday, June 3, 2026, as the commission weighs competing claims over the party’s leadership and constitutional authority. The hearing is widely viewed as a pivotal moment in a dispute that has plunged the opposition party into uncertainty ahead of Liberia’s 2029 general elections.
After completing his testimony, the counsel for the Samukai’s faction, Cllr. Eric Kamara, in an interview with reporters, expressed confidence in the evidence presented before the commission. “As far as I am concerned, I am satisfied with the testimony my client gave,” Cllr. Kamara told reporters after the hearing.
He emphasized that the original documents central to the dispute remain in the custody of the NEC and argued that records displayed during the proceedings would ultimately determine the case. According to him, the commission is expected to carefully compare all submissions and verify the authenticity of the documents before reaching a decision.
Asked whether his side would accept any outcome from the NEC, the lawyer stopped short of giving an unconditional endorsement, Cllr. Kamara said, “I cannot just say I will accept any outcome if I have not seen the ruling, but if the ruling goes in-depth and covers everything presented, then I will accept it.”
Also speaking after leaving the witness stand, Samukai insisted that his faction possesses all relevant documents submitted to the NEC and maintained that the evidence would validate the actions taken by the party’s National Committee.
“We have all the documents presented to the NEC. They are legitimate documents, and they will speak for themselves,” Samukai declared. He argued that the ongoing dispute is fundamentally about enforcing the LPP constitution and ensuring accountability within the party. “The constitution of our party must prevail, because we cannot question the national government about respecting the rule of law while failing to respect our own constitution,” he said. Samukai reiterated his faction’s position that embattled Chairman Zaza must comply with what they describe as an ‘indefinite suspension’ imposed through party processes.
According to him, the NEC proceedings have also helped educate party members about the provisions of the LPP constitution and could ultimately strengthen the institution. Samukai maintained, “In every political organization, disagreements happen; what matters is how those issues are resolved so the party can emerge stronger.”
A significant portion of Samukai’s testimony focused on allegations that elected county officials were improperly removed from their positions, thus accusing the embattled Chairman Zaza and others of violating constitutional procedures by removing county chairpersons without authorization from the party’s National Congress.
“There is no provision in our constitution that allows one individual to arbitrarily remove elected county leaders,” Samukai argued, pledging that his faction would continue pursuing legal remedies to restore what it considers the rights of party officials allegedly affected by those decisions. “We are going to make sure that those who worked tirelessly for the party are protected and that nobody is removed illegally,” he said.
Samukai further claimed that several senior party members had resigned due to concerns over alleged misconduct and constitutional violations within the organization, allegedly being orchestrated and implemented by the embattled Chairman Zaza. Meanwhile, the dispute before the NEC stems from competing interpretations of decisions allegedly adopted during a National Committee meeting held in Paynesville on November 15, 2024.
In a communication submitted to the Inter-Party Consultative Committee (IPCC), Samukai’s faction informed electoral authorities that the meeting was constitutionally convened and attended by members of the National Executive Committee and County Congress Chairpersons, satisfying quorum requirements under the LPP’s 1984 constitution. The group subsequently requested NEC recognition of disciplinary actions taken against Zaza and other officials accused of undermining party unity and violating constitutional procedures.
The faction has accused Zaza of engaging in what it termed “constitutional usurpation of authority,” institutional destabilization, and actions prejudicial to party cohesion. It also alleges that he attempted to remove duly elected officials without following the party’s established rules.
Samukai’s supporters further contend that Zaza was properly notified about the 2024 meeting but failed to attend, prompting organizers to proceed in his absence. The LPP, closely associated with renowned human rights lawyer and former presidential candidate, Cllr Taiwan Gongloe, now finds itself locked in a battle that threatens to weaken its political relevance as the country gradually turns its attention toward the 2029 elections.
The Samukai faction has also challenged the legitimacy of a political retreat organized by Gongloe and his allies in Gbarnga, Bong County, describing the gathering as unconstitutional and unauthorized.
Documents cited by the Samukai camp indicated that he and several others were elected during the party’s Fifth National Congress in May 2022, a point the faction continues to use in asserting its authority.
With both sides claiming legitimacy and neither showing signs of retreat, the NEC’s eventual ruling could determine not only who controls the LPP but also whether the party can reunite and remain a significant force in Liberia’s evolving political landscape.
However, following the cross-examination, embattled Chairman Zaza and his lawyer refused to comment despite several attempts by our reporter to obtain their response to the issues raised during the proceedings.
