Tyler in double jeopardy

While embattled Speaker Alex Tyler is on his knees, imploring his colleagues not to bow to alleged inducement from the Executive to have him dethroned as head of the Liberian Legislature, several members of his Liberian People Democratic Party (LPDP) Grand Bassa County branch have crossed-carpet to the Movement for Economic Empowerment or MOVEE, of ex-CBL executive governor Dr. Mills Jones.

At a colorful program held in Monrovia recently, several executive members of the LPDL from Grand Bassa County said their decision is based on the criminal indictment against their political leader, J. Alex Tyler.
Tyler has been indicted by the Government of Liberia along with several current and former officials after the U.K. based environmental watchdog Global Witness, linked them to receiving over US$950 million bribe from a British company, Sable Mining to compromise Liberian concession laws in its favor.

In a statement read by Sam Olu Garyeedea, spokesperson for the defecting LPDP executives, they noted their exodus was driven by the credibility and integrity hurdle tag hanging on their former political leader.
“Our decision to leave the LPDP is due to several reasons. But to name few, we will not work with a political party that doesn’t mean well for the Liberian people, and with a standard bearer’s indictment being engulfed with corruption allegations,” Mr. Garyeedea said.

The statement was signed by the following executives: Cecelia Vonyeegar, LPDP Chairlady, Grand Bassa Branch; Edwin Jualo, Regional Youth Wing Chair, and Sam Olu Garyeedea, Regional Press Officer, Grand Bassa/Rivercess Counties.

Welcoming the defectors, MOVEE Secretary General said the party was pleased that they chose to join MOVEE amongst other political parties in the country. “This party is highly delighted to see potential partisans to choose us, we are the best alternative, and we are prepared to take Liberia forward.”

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor