Liberian wants…… Iron stem Pro-tempt not Rubber Stem Pro-tempt Unarguably, the Liberian Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislative branch of the Government of Liberia, and together with the House of Representatives, comprises the Legislature. Each of the fifteen counties is equally represented by two Senators; each elected to serve a staggered nine-year term. The 1986 Constitution vests the legislative power of Liberia in both the Liberian Senate and the House of Representative, both of which must concur on any bill before passage into law, save for the President’s attestation – signature. Additionally, the Senate possesses several exclusive powers under the Constitution, including the power to advise on and confirm presidential appointments to both the Executive and the Judiciary branches. In view of the foregoing, and considering the importance attached to both the Liberian Senate and its leadership, the Patriotic Alliance of Liberia (PAL) has made some observations, and is poised to make certain recommendations to affect the pending elections for the position of President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate. The Executive Director of the PAL, Mr. Korva M. Jorgbor, is of the conviction that in order to maintain the dignity, sanctity and respectability of the “house of elders”, it behooves members of the Liberian Senate to come in adherence to the suggestion contained in this dispatch. He, therefore, appeals to members of the Liberian Senate to vote distinct and qualify individual with the attractive recognizable personality to serve as President Pro-Tempore. PAL believes that the election is not only needed as a constitutional imperative, but is also crucial, especially with respect to ensuring geopolitical balance in national governance as well as the avoidance of the apparent creation of a one-party state. PAL is also of the quest in ensuring that only an individual with impeccable intellectual prowess to ably articulate the views and aspirations of his colleagues as well as aid the President of the Liberian Senate – which is the Vice President of the Republic - provide guidance for the day-to-day functioning of the upper house. We see these characteristics as useful credentials to preserve the dignity and integrity of the “house of elders.” The Executive Committee of the Patriotic Alliance of Liberia appeals to the consciences of Senators to consider one who understands the dialectics of legislative politics and is versed with constitutional matters as well as the Senate Standing Rules before casting a ballot for who becomes Liberia’s next President Pro-Tempore. In view of the aforementioned, the Executive Director of the Patriotic Alliance of Liberia, Mr. Korva M. Jorgbor, hereby sounds a cogent caveat against electing any one of the below listed individuals in the Liberian Senate each of whom, one way or the other, might not satisfy the preconditions set forth in this release and may pose clear and present danger in providing leadership for that august body, yea the image of the country. It can be recalled that since the ascendency of the ruling Unity Party (UP) to authority, the President Pro-Tempore always comes from the south- eastern part of Liberia. PAL agrees that the issues of the President, the Speaker, and President Pro-Tempore coming from the same political party or the same county have no constitution backing. Also, the issue of geographical representation is unconstitutional. But for expediency we much accept these conditions for the purpose of geopolitical balance and avoidance of a one party state. According to our research conducted, the first President Pro-Tempore since 2006 was Senator Isaac W. Nyenabo who hails from Grand Gedeh County; the second President Pro-Tempore was Cletus S. Wotorson, he hails from Grand Kru County. The third President Pro-Tempore is the outgoing Senator Gbehzohngar M. Findley from Grand Bassa County. Cllr. Charles W. Brunskine who once served as President Pro-Tempore during the former President Charles Taylor administration, he also hails from Grand Bassa County. Cllr. Varney Sherman and Morris Saytumah The Executive Director referenced that Mr. Morris Saytumah and Cllr. Varney Sherman are not the best candidates to serve as President Pro-Tempore, because, both men belong to the ruling Unity Party of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. To that end, it is noteworthy that the President of the Liberian Senate, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Alex Tyler are all bona fide stalwarts of that ruling political establishment. Hence, empowering any of them at the level of leadership of the Senate is tantamount to the creation of a de facto one-party state. Moreover, Mr. Morris Saytumah hails from Bomi County just as President Sirleaf and Speaker Tyler, hence, his election as President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate who not represents a geopolitical balance in the governance of the state. Cllr. Sherman, too, hails from the western region’s Gran Cape Mount County which is next door to Bomi from whence cometh the President, Vice President (he hails from the north-west), and the Speaker Prince Y. Johnson PAL is of the opinion that Senator Prince Y. Johnson is not the rightful personality to serve the Liberian Senate as Senate Pro-tempt. It can be recalled that Senator Johnson was indicted by the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) for gross violation of war crimes. His ascendency to authority as Senate Pro-tempt will reflect bad image for our beloved country, Liberia. Therefore, we warn against his election as President Pro-Tempore. Dan H. Morais Senator Dan H. Morais would be a better character to serve the President Pro-Tempore at the Liberian Senate. Senator Morias understands both local and international policies because of the opportunity of serving as superintendent and ambassador. He understands the Senate Standing Rules but what would hinder his quest is the issue of geographical balance that is he hails from Maryland County which is part of the Southeastern region. The Executive may have serious problem with him on grounds that he was a close associate to former President Taylor. Senator Morias also hails from the south- eastern part of Liberia too. Joseph N. Nagba Senator Joseph N. Nagba is not a best character/personality to serve as President Pro-Tempore for the Liberian Senate; he is a confidant of the President, he does not understand the Senate Standing Rule to his fingertips; he does not have the leadership ability evident by which he chaired and conduct session on four (4) different occasions while chairing session. Besides, he is in the culture of the geographic balance because he hails from Sinoe County. It can be recalled that Senator Nagba was supported by President Sirleaf during the 2011 General and Presidential Elections, which she told the people of Sinoe County to vote for him. PAL fear is when Senator Nagba is elected to serve as the President Pro-Tempore; he will gamble the senate for the interest of President Sirleaf. Now she is doing everything possible for him to win the President Pro-Tempore election. George Weah PAL is calling on members of the Liberian Senate not to elect Ambassador George Weah to authority as President Pro-Tempore. PAL believes that Amb. Weah is not the right personality to serve as President Pro-Tempore, because, he does not understand legislative procedures; he does not know the Senate Standing Rules and lacks the intellectual prowess to articulate the views of his colleagues. Senator Oscar Cooper For Senator Oscar cooper, the issue of geographic balance will not hinders his quest for the position as President Pro-tempore for the Liberian Senate. He would become a better pro-tempore but he is a partisan of the ruling Unity Party. The issue of the Speaker, the President, the Vice President and the President Pro- Tempore been from the same party does not have constitutional backing but for expediency Liberian must accept those conditions in order not to have one party-state. Senator Cooper is a confidant of President Sirleaf, in so doing he can easly be driven by the president. As the result he will gamble the Upper House for the interest of President Sirleaf. Based on these reasons, PAL believes that Senator Oscar Cooper is not the best character to serve the position as President Pro-Tempore for the Liberian Senate. Jewel Howard Taylor According to the PAL Executive Director, Mr. Jorgbor, Senator Jewel Howard Taylor of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) would be a suitable personality to serve the position as President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate. Serving a second nine-year term, she knows understands legislative politics as well as the standing rules of the Liberian Senate. She has legislative experience as compared to Mr. Saytumah, Cllr. Sherman, Mr. Weah and others. Senator Taylor, from all indications, might be rightly suited for the post because of her unflinching will to stand by principles. Although the executive may have serious problem with Senator Taylor because she is the former wife of the former President Taylor and may consider her as a direct replica of her former husband Mr. Taylor, which is the basis for our flourishing democracy - healthy. Daniel Naathen The Executive Director also pointed out that Senator Daniel Naathen would be another best personality to serve the position as President Pro-tempore of the Liberian Senate because, he understands the Senate Standing Rules to the best of his ability; he understands legislative procedure and he is a veteran politician and a lawmaker; he understands both local and international politics. Senator Naathen contested on the ticket of the Alternative National Congress (ANC); he from the western region. Hon. Naathen will not be remote or dance by the whelms and caprices of President Sirleaf; he is not a confidante of the president and he has leadership ability. Armah Jallah Senator Armah Z. Jallah would be the best personality to serve as the President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate. He knows the Liberian politic; he understands the Senate Standing Rule to his fingertip and he has leadership ability. Senator Jallah is a veteran politician and a lawmaker. He contested on the ticket of the National Patriotic Party (NPP). CONCLUSION To conclude, any of the three (3) senators named below can be the best to serve the position as the President Pro-Tempore for the Liberian Senate. From our investigation conducted, PAL observed that if Jewel Howard Taylor, Mr. Daniel Naathen or Amrah Z. Jallah is elected to serve as Senate Pro-tempt, the Liberian Senate will deliver the goods and services through transparency, accountability, effectiveness and respect for the rule of law among others. PAL believed that those personalities will not follow the footprints of outgoing President Pro-Tempore and Senator Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, who became inextricably linked and was dining and wining with the Executive during his tenure. With our understanding any of the three (3) senators’- elect cam make a better leadership and they will not be driven by the executive but rather be in the interest of the Liberian people. The Patriotic Alliance of Liberia (PAL) is calling on members of the Liberian Senate not to vote on the basis of party affiliation, nepotism or on the basis of friendship rather it will be wise for the senators to vote rightly in order for the senate to have a better leadership.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 15:22:43 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015