The crisis in the Collaborating Political Party looks far from over, as the Alternative National Congress has blasted the Standard Bearer of the All Liberian Party, Benoni Urey, for his allegation that the CPP framework was allegedly altered.
In a statement issued Monday, September 27,2021, the ANC said it is sad and disappointing that Urey did not indicate or provide any shred of evidence to substantiate what they called his wild claims and allegations. The statement noted that he did not say exactly what was altered in the Framework Document. He did not say who altered the Framework Document.
They’re quoted as saying “When Urey made what they called those unfounded claims and wild allegations, he knew they were false and inaccurate. He knew that the Framework Document had not been altered. More importantly, Urey knew he was being disingenuous, in what amounted to a lie. Yet, he made these claims and allegations.”
They alleged that Urey made the allegations because those false allegations foster what they referred to as his selfish political motive and interest. They mentioned that the All Liberian Party political leader made the allegation because he was executing a political ploy in a playbook of lies and deception. Urey has one objective: to impede the quest of Alexander Cummings for the CPP’s Standard Bearership through dubious means, and he believes he can win by every shortcut method possible. That is what Urey knows best.
The ANC noted that neither Alexander Cummings nor the ANC altered provisions of the Framework Document, stating that in fact, no provision of the Framework Agreement was added or removed. They are quoted as saying, “There were no such alterations! No part of the Framework Document is altered. Never! These false allegations are hatched by Urey, for the benefit, and to the full knowledge of, a few individuals in the Unity Party (UP), supported by few persons in the Liberty Party (LP), to kill what they referred to as the proverbial dog that must be guilty at all cost, even if the facts prove otherwise.”
Providing the antithesis, the ANC pointed out that on May 19, 2020, the final Framework Document was signed via Zoom, due to the Covid-19 outbreak.They added that each Political Leader, Party Chairman and their support staff were at separate locations during the signing and only connected via Zoom. They said, Sen. Lawrence was in Grand Bassa, Amb. Boakai in Paynesville, Mr. Cummings in Sinkor, and Urey was presumably on his farm in Careysburg. Each Political Leader had one original copy of the Framework Document and one signature page to sign on.
They continued that after the signing and publication of the Framework Document, there was massive public backlash on the provision of the Framework Document indicating that employment would only be for known and visible CPP members. This backlash prompted the need for a legal revision of the Framework Document, in order to ensure that it met legal, statutory and constitutional standards. All political leaders and party executives agreed that there should be a revision by relatively independent reputable lawyers after the signing. Even Urey mentioned recently admitted in an audio clip, that all of the political leaders knew about and authorized the revisions by the lawyers. The Legal Committee was thus constituted and upon completion of its review submitted to the ANC an amended Framework Document as well as “issues arising from the review.” The lawyers made their initial presentation to the Political Leaders on June 19, 2020.
On June 22, 2020, the then CPP Chair, Mr. Alexander Cummings, submitted the amended Framework Document and the “issues arising from the review”, received from the Legal Committee, to the CPP National Advisory Committee (NAC). In a WhatsApp message to the NAC on June 22, 2020, Mr. Cummings wrote: “Colleagues, here is the document from the lawyers with the key issues they suggest we change in the FA. I’m forwarding next the FA for each Party’s EC to review and approve. It is critical that we stick to the timeline agreed for each party to submit their Respective Resolutions. We run the serious risk of not getting the CPP certified in time to register our candidates if do not…proceed.” In this same message, Mr. Cummings also sent the agenda for a CPP meeting scheduled for June 23, 2020, to review and approve the revisions. See evidence of Cummings text message in the NAC chatroom as Exhibit #2.
On June 23, 2020, the Legal Committee made a presentation to the NAC at the Headquarters of the Liberty Party. All political leaders were present. The Parties reviewed the amended Framework Document from the Legal Committee and approved the amendments as submitted at this meeting. Also, at this meeting, timelines for the next steps were reaffirmed.
On June 25, 2020, Mr. Cummings sent updates from the June 23rd meeting to all parties, via WhatsApp, along with a reminder of the agreed timeline for the next steps as follows:
Parties’ Review of Legal Draft – Tues June 23 to Saturday June 27, 2020
Submission of Feedback – Sunday June 28, 2020
Compilation of feedback by Legal Team – Monday June 29 – Wed July 1, 2020
Joint Ratification by all parties – Thursday July 2, 2020.
Submission of Resolution ratifying the Framework Document – July 3-5, 2020
They however stressed that all parties submit their signed and notarized resolutions on July 7, 2020. The Unity Party’s resolution has a notarization date of July 6, 2020, while Liberty Party and ALP’s resolutions have a notarization date of July 7, 2020. In fact, the Liberty Party Political Leader personally signed and dated hers on July 1, 2020, prior to notarizing their resolution. All parties submitted their resolutions to the ANC Secretary General during the week of July 6, 2020.
The statement continued that the UP’s Secretary General, Mr. Mo Ali, was charged with the responsibility of getting the signatures for the Framework Document from all political parties. He did so and returned one original signature sheet to the ANC Secretary General, Aloysious Toe, during the week of July 6, 2020, as a copy for the ANC. “Some Political Leaders and Party Chairs backdated their signatures on the signature sheet to reflect the date of signing of the original Framework Document, which was May 19. The amended Framework Document, revised by the Legal Committee and approved by all Parties on July 23, along with the ANC original of the signature sheet and the resolutions from all four Parties was notarized and filed at the National Elections Commission on the same day (July 14).One month later, on August 14, 2020, the CPP’s Certification Program was held, where all political parties were present, including Urey. On the basis of the Legal Committee’s revised Framework Document, notarized and accepted by NEC, the newly-certificated CPP was allowed to field candidates, including Senators Abraham Darius Dillon and Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence”. They added.
According to the ANC, for sixteen months, the CPP has benefited from what Urey is now calling a fraudulent document. Since being certificated, and on the basis of the Framework Document filed at the National Elections Commission, the CPP was allowed to field candidates in several elections and won six senatorial seats, including the 2020 mid-term elections that saw Senators Abraham Darius Dillon and Nyonblee Kangar. Noting that if the document filed with National Elections Commission was altered, as claimed by Urey, this would mean that the very existence and legitimacy of the CPP, and all elected legislators, now hangs in question. Any attempt to invalidate the lawyers’ amended version of the Framework Document, which is currently the version filed at the National Elections Commission, by extension invalidates the CPP certification and invalidates all CPP candidates elected under this Framework Document.
They alleged that Urey and his cohorts are seeking to destroy Mr. Cummings. They are also destroying the CPP – the only hope of the Liberian people. They are also quoted as saying “The more we delve into what has unfolded in the last few days, the clearer it becomes that THIS is the actual intent of Urey’s sinister plan. What is even more interesting is that while Urey continues to lie and cause trouble in the CPP, nothing is being done to hold him accountable. This is a man who should not even be sitting at any table to discuss Liberia’s future because of his evil past, yet he is being allowed to destroy the CPP,” they said.
The ANC also alleged that the Unity Party’s Political Leader, Amb. Joseph N. Boakai and Liberty Party’s Political Leader, Sen. Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence both know that Urey lied. They asserted that Amb. Boakai remains content, and appallingly silent, in the face of what they referred to as evil lies against Mr. Cummings, because it benefits him politically to make it appear as a fight between Cummings and Urey. Noting that they are aware and the evidence is irrefutable that this is Amb. Boakai’s proxy war against Mr. Cummings, being fought by a man they described as with depraved indifference to decency, truth and honesty.
Speaking on Sen. Karnga-Lawrence they said she has compromised her neutrality and independence and, instead, become an underground instigator and co-conspirator in the campaign of lies against Mr. Cummings, leaking internal confidential CPP information and communications to the public, including Costa, to denigrate Cummings, because she is working assiduously hard to become Amb. Boakai’s Vice President. They stressed that it is a shame that the plot to ruin the CPP happened under her leadership.
Commenting on talk show host Henry Costa, the ANC said Urey’s deadly playbook of cut-throat politics said is best noted for lying, extortion, blackmailing and psychopathic behavior, accused Mr. Alexander Cummings of being a fraud, a cheat, and a criminal who fraudulently altered the Framework Document, without any evidence to authentic his usual diabolical lie. They are quoted as saying” And while Costa is spreading his cooked-up lies about Mr. Cummings, Costa has never raised his voice to speak about Urey’s known and documented criminal activities and records. What the leaders of CPP fail to recognize is that this loudmouth boy in Costa has taken money from the ruling establishment to blow up the CPP, an unrefutable point noted by Montserrado District #10 Representative Honorable Yekeh Kolubah.” They furthered, “Why is Costa insulting Cummings, when he has never ever raised his mouth to Urey? Costa cooked up lies and said the worst and most nasty things about Mr. Cummings. As bizarre as these characterizations of Mr. Cummings may be, we are forced to wonder, and we ask you ladies and gentlemen of the press and public to join us in a united chorus in wondering: Between Cummings and Urey, as evidenced by their life history and confirmed by records of the United Nations and other international sources, who is best fitted as a fraud, a cheat and an unpardonable criminal? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against his ALP puppet master, Urey. Between Cummings and Urey, who has the international press dubbed as merchant of death? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against his ALP puppet master, Urey. Between Cummings and Urey, who has the United Nations accused of being an arms dealer to kill women and children, and is a money launderer? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against his ALP puppet master, Urey. Between Cummings and Urey, who greased the monstrous killing machine of Charles Taylor? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against his ALP puppet master, Urey. Between Cummings and Costa’s ALP puppet master Urey, who did Section 9.9 of the TRC Report accuse of using inhumane tactics and economic crimes to seize upon the chaos and strife in Liberia to gain power and to amass wealth and prolong and exacerbate the conflict? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against Urey. Between Cummings and Costa’s ALP puppet master Urey, who did the United Nations and United States impose travel ban and asset freeze on in 2000 for facilitating the arming of rebels from the maritime funds so they could rip pregnant women’s bellies opened? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against Urey”.
They noted that between Cummings and what they referred to as Costa’s ALP puppet master, Urey, whose “wealth” is the fruit of economic crimes for which he is yet to answer? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against Urey. Between Cummings and Costa’s ALP puppet master Urey, who has made this once glorious land of liberty, a bad dream for everybody today? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against Urey. Between Cummings and Costa’s puppet master Urey, who has the international press described “when Liberian’s and the local press provide a platform to him to speak on national issues including governance, it becomes a gross betrayal of justice and accountability for his singular role in the destruction of the same country in the 1990s?” Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against his ALP puppet master Urey. Between Cummings and Urey, who has the international press described as having no shred of credibility and humanity for which tolerance by the other political leaders to even have him on the table to discuss Liberia’s future, much less speak for the opposition is considered “misplaced? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against his ALP puppet master Urey. Between Cummings and Urey, who has the international press accused of “selfishly manipulating and undermining the CPP, bad mouthing potentially credible leaders who may emerge as formadible candidates, and use the Council of Patriots and their Indian Talk Show Host as a tool – bought and paid for? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against Urey. Between Cummings and Costa’s ALP puppet master Urey, for who has the international community warned Liberians that the international community will stay shy of individuals like him who has no credibility and is tainted by allegations of economic crimes? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against Urey. Between Cummings and Costa’s ALP puppet master Urey, who remains listed as a Specially Designated National (SDN) by the U.S. Treasury Department with his assets frozen and being banned from travelling to the United States? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against Urey. Between Cummings and Costa’s ALP puppet master Urey, who acted upon orders from his former boss to destroy Liberia, using his role as Maritime Commissioner to siphon millions of dollars to off-shore accounts in exchange for weapons used against the innocent people of Liberia? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against Urey. Between Cummings and Costa’s ALP puppet master Urey, who is supposedly the richest man in Liberia with wealth amassed overnight with no recognizable source of his fortune? Yet, Costa never has and never will raise his mouth against Urey. Henry Costa has never raised his mouth against Urey and you know why? Because Urey is the financier of Costa’s propaganda machinery to destroy decent people, while shielding Urey and enabling him to benefit from his criminal behavior. Like Urey, the wayward “Live from Bombay” Indian Talk Show Host did not say how and what was altered in the Framework Document. He did not say it, nor will he ever do so, because he too knows that nothing had been altered in the Framework Document”.
They said Urey is threatened by Cummings and doesn’t want Cummings anywhere near the CPP because it gets in the way of his fight to be Vice President to Amb. Boakai. Saying that Urey sees Cummings as the major obstruction to his undemocratic means to take state power and so he must destroy Cummings so JNB can lead the CPP. He continued that the plan is after 3 years as President, Boakai will retire from the Presidency due to old age or failing health, making Benoni Urey an accidental President of Liberia. An accidental President Urey will then choose and hand-pick a Henry Costa as Vice President. This is the motive of Costa and Urey, and this is their plan for seeking to destroy Cummings.
They said, a Cummings victory, which according to them is now looking increasingly likely, against Boakai in the CPP Primary, shatters the Urey/Costa diabolically selfish plan against Liberia.
They continued,that Urey and Costa hate Cummings and ANC, and vowed to destroy both through calculated and deliberate falsehoods because they see Cummings as the major threat and obstruction to their undemocratic means to take state power.
They disclosed that the genesis of Urey’s hatred for Cummings is steeped in Cumming’s consistent push back against Urey’s plans to use undemocratic means, through the CPP, to destabilize the Weah’s Administration.
They said a few days before the June 7, protest, it became clear that Urey and his wayward mercenary talk show host had ulterior motives: they wanted a simple peaceful protest, intended to call attention to government’s ills, to be used to call for the resignation of President Weah. The ANC, supported by other colleagues, vehemently objected to the language of the Resolution for the protest having anything to do with President Weah’s resignation. This disagreement led to the CPP having no single position for the June 7 protest and no resolution was read. Unhappy and dissatisfied with the ANC and Cummings, Urey programmed and financed his wayward mercenary talk show host to unleash a radio onslaught, denigrating Cummings and the ANC at every opportunity. This was seen in the massive attacks against the ANC and Cummings by Costa concerning the Cape Mount bi-election seat allocation between Dabah Varpilah and Simeon Taylor.
Meanwhile, the ANC has requested the following:
- Now that ANC has provided the copy of the Framework Document filed with the NEC, the lawyers have provided the copy of their final amended Framework Document, and the National Elections Commission has provided a copy of what it has on file, Urey must be made to show to the public the provision(s) of the Framework Document that was/were allegedly altered or he must be made to apologize to the public. The ANC made a formal communication to the CPP, through its Chair, Senator Kargar Lawrence, requesting her to make Urey to show the provisions of the Framework Document that were altered; but up to this date she continues to dance around it, presumably playing to the same political playbook to taint Cummings;
- Ambassador Joseph Nyumah Boakai, as an elder in the CPP, must tell the public whether or not Urey’s allegation is true that they did not approve the lawyers’ work. Unless Amb. Boakai publicly comes clean on this, we hold the belief that it is a conspiracy between Mr. Urey and Amb. Boakai in trying to use illegal means to avoid defeat at the CPP primary.
- The lawyers of CPP must speak to the veracity of whether or not the Framework Document filed at the National Elections Commission has any provision(s) altered, removed or added from what they submitted as the final amended Framework Document.
According to them, the ANC will no longer tolerate what they called these shenanigans of political vampires like Urey. Stating that Liberia deserves better.
