By Vaye A. Lepolu
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) successfully concluded its extraordinary Congress on September 21, 2024, at Effort Baptist Church School, marking the end of a prolonged leadership crisis. With the theme, “A People United Can Never Be Defeated: Let’s Reclaim Our Space,” the Congress aimed to elect new leaders to steer the Union forward.
The election commission for the 2024 Extraordinary Congress,comprised of Teah A. Doegmah, Hellen Nah Sammie, and Ernest K. Meccay, oversaw the voting process. Chairperson Teah A. Doegmah announced the results, declaring Julius KullieKanubah as the new president of the Press Union, with Beatrice elected as vice president. Akoi Baysah secured the position of secretary, while Julius DI Maria Konton was named assistant secretary.
Julius Kullie Kanubah received a total of 185 votes for the presidency, while Beatrice garnered 160 votes for the vice presidency. Akoi Baysah received 163 votes for secretary, and Julius DI Maria Konton obtained 115 votes for assistant secretary. Notably, Daniel Nyakonah received 29 votes for the presidency, and Bettie Johnson Mbayo secured 33 votes for the vice presidency.
The election saw a total of 1,236 ballots printed, with 216 ballots cast. The process included 19 non-votes and three invalid votes for the vice presidency, along with one invalid vote for the presidency. Even though many thought this would have brought an end to the year-long internal conflict the union has been enraged with, Peter Quaqua, the head of the Interim Leadership Committee of the Press Union of Liberia, has been summoned to appear before the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, Civil Law Division, on September 23, 2024. The order was issued by Honorable Golda A. Bonah Elliott, the assigned Circuit Judge, as part of ongoing proceedings involving the Press Union.
The conference, set for 1:00 PM, pertains to a petition for declaratory judgment filed by registered members of the Press Union, including Mae Azango, Aloysius Makor, Musa Kanneh, and Charles Coffey. These individuals are aspirants for the positions of President and Vice President of the Press Union and have brought forth the case against the Interim Leadership Committee, represented by Quaqua.
“Dear Quaqua: BY DIRECTIVE OF HER HONOR, GOLDA A BONAH ELLIOTT, ASSIGNED CIRCUIT JUDGE, SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT, CIVIL LAW COURT, MONTSERRADO COUNTY,?REPUBLIC OF UBERIA, SITTING IN ITS SEPTEMBER TERM A.D. 2024, YOU ARE HEREBY ORDERED TO APPEAR BEFORE THIS COURT ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2024, AT THE HOUR OF 1:00 P.M., FOR A CONFERENCE IN THE BELOW ENTITLED CAUSE OF ACTION. AND so ORDERED,” the petition reads.
The case points to ongoing tensions within the leadership of the Press Union, as members seek clarity on the legitimacy of the current interim committee’s authority and actions. The outcome of the court conference could have significant implications for the governance and future elections of the Press Union.
The court order, issued on September 20, 2024, underscores the judiciary’s role in addressing disputes within civil organizations and ensuring that members’ rights are upheld.
