PUP, UP in merger talks

-Speaker Nuquay discloses
Contrary to recent claim by the chairman of the governing Unity Party Wilmot Paye that the ruling party is not interested in forming merger or coalition with any political party here, House Speaker Emmanuel James Nuquay,founding chairman of the People Unification Party, has disclosed that PUP and the ruling UP are in close discussion for a possible merger, ahead of the October presidential and representatives’ elections.

Speaker Nuquay, currently an executive of the PUP, said the party is seriously considering a marriage with the ruling establishment to put forth a united front in the pending elections.

He made the disclosure at the petitioning ceremony of Bong County Electoral District #2 Representative Prince KemueMoye in Gbarnga, Bong County over the weekend. The speaker pointed out that both parties share similar values, policies and ideologies, adding that if the PUP were to wed the UP, the dreams of the founding father of the Liberia Unification Party (LUP)the late Gabriel William Kpolleh will remain alive.

Mr. Kpolleh was a little known public school teacher in the 1980s who founded the Liberia Unification Party to challenge Dictator Samuel Kanyon Doe in the 1985 rigged elections. However, he was incarcerated by the Doe despotic regime and subsequently died under unexplained circumstances during the December 25, 1989 rebel invasion led by war crimes convict ex-president Charles Ghankay Taylor.
Nuquay intimated that the Liberians especially, citizens of Bong County should never allow the dreams and aspirations of Kpolleh to die, adding that the dreams are still alive, but much needs to be done to keep the torch burning.

Dubbed a grassroots party, PUP was established in 2014. Its founders include House Speaker Nuquay and Bong County Senator Henry Yallah. Both men were later joined by former Lofa County Senator Sumo Kupee, after he was defeated in the Unity Party primaries. PUP won a single seat in the December 2014 special Senatorial election, with Jim Tornonlah elected in Margibi County.

Also speaking at the petition ceremony, which brought together hundreds of thousands of supporters of Rep. Moye’s into the streets of Gbarnga, the Bong County lawmaker said his time in the House of Representatives has been rewarding, adding that he has lived up to his campaign promises.

Rep. Moye was petitioned by citizens of Electoral District #2 to seek re-election based on his level of development in the county since he assumed office. The petitioners told Rep. Moye, who chairs the House’s Committee on Ways, Means, Finance, Budget and Development Planning that they have no alternative for the October elections except him, whom they said can represent the district for the next six years.

They described Moye as highest donor of scholarships to students from Bong County besides providing medical support to nurses and health workers, pavement of roads and chief financier of the county’s teams in the ongoing National County Meet.

In response to the petition, Rep. Moye said with consultation with his family, friends and well-wishers he acceptsthe citizens’ request to re-contest for the representative post in the impending elections, adding that victory is certain for the people of Bong County especially, electoral district.

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor-Editing by Jonathan Browne