Cummings to CPP: 'Respect Rule of Law'

For alleged violation of the Framework document of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Alexander Benedict Cummings has demanded an immediate adherence, by his fellow political leaders within the Collaboration to the rule of law, mainly concerning leadership ahead of the much talked about primaries.

Aside from his demand for adherence to the rule of law governing the constituent Political Parties within CPP, Cummings also refused to attend program marking the endorsement of the candidacy of Joseph Nyumah Boakai, former Vice President of Liberia and standard bearer and political leader of the former ruling Unity Party (UP).

 His letter, addressed to Amin Modad, chairman of the UP, said his decision to turn down the invitation to grace Boakai’s endorsement ceremonies is based on the UP acting contrary to the Framework document which has set in place different measures.

“I am constrained to decline your invitation at this time due to a number of concerns with the process which led to the program. In particular, the action to derive an aspirant for the CPP standard bearer position through a process outside of a national convention falls short of the core values of the CPP as stated in Section 3.1.2, “Good governance; including in particular, inclusiveness, participation, accountability and transparency,” Cummings said.

He further said that the selection of Boakai, as done by the Unity Party, runs contrary to the guiding principles of the CPP which he said provide for the creation of an “enabling environment of upholding the tenets of democracy, including respect for the rule of law and human rights,” and has the potential to expose the CPP to public redicule.

Cummings boasted that his political party, the Alternative National Congress (ANC), a constituent member party within the CPP, is conscious of the legal and moral implications associated with breaking any law, most especially the Framework document that binds them together as a force opting to succeed President George Weah in 2023.

“To the Alternative National Congress (ANC), the core values and guiding principles of the CPP are not without legal force and moral effect. In addition, they define the deeper values of our commitments to each other, and our pledge to the Liberian People for a better Liberia,” the ANC political leader noted, adding, “Therefore, the ANC believes each constituent member of the CPP must act, at all times, to uphold and adhere to the rule of law, including the laws which govern our respective parties.”

Internal wrangling has long been ongoing in the political collaboration presenting itself as the only alternative to succeed and correct the alleged ills perpetrated by the Weah led government.

It can be recalled that Cummings walked out from a meeting of the CPP leadership when a suggestion was proffered that Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, current chairperson of the CPP, continues to lead, even though her term has expired.

Cummings argued that the eight months allotted to any political leader within the collaboration to lead has expired and it is time for Boakai to succeed, a mandate which Boakai appears to have forfeited.

The UP political leader said it will be good for Senator Lawrence, the political leader of the Liberty Party (LP), to continue spearheading activities and processes leading to the determination of a standard bearer for the CPP because she is not contesting the primaries for the role.

Boakai has the backing of Benoni Urey, political leader of the All Liberian Party (ALP), and it appears that the LP leader may also be complicit by her willingness to steer the affairs of the CPP in Boakai's stead. Cummings has condemned their action, terming it as a blatant violation of the rule of law that has brought them together as a unit.