-Amid Leadership Transition
Monrovia, Liberia – The Interim Committee of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) says it is actively preparing to address a Petition for Declaratory Judgment filed by a group of aggrieved members of the Union. This development follows the Committee’s recent appearance at the Civil Law Court for a conference on September 23.
On September 20, the Interim Committee received a writ of summons to appear before Judge Golda A. Bonah-Elliott of the 6th Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court of Montserrado. The summons was issued just days before the re-run election mandated by the 9th Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga, Bong County, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
During the conference, Judge Bonah-Elliott instructed the Committee to respond to the grievances raised by the Petitioners through legal counsel within ten days, in accordance with legal procedures.
As the Interim Committee formulates its response, it is also engaging in consultations with the newly elected officers of the Union, who are set to be inducted on September 30. This date is particularly significant, as it coincides with the 60th Anniversary of the PUL.
The newly elected officials, who emerged victorious during an extraordinary congress held in Paynesville, just outside Monrovia, include Julius Kanubah as President, Beatrice Sieh as Vice President, Akoi Baysah as Secretary-General, and Julius Konton as Assistant Secretary-General.
The Interim Committee reiterates its commitment to revitalizing the Press Union of Liberia and assures both members and the public of its dedication to restoring the organization’s functionality. The Committee calls on all members to unite in efforts to salvage the PUL during this critical time.
Last weekend, the PUL concluded its extraordinary Congress. With the theme, “A People United Can Never Be Defeated: Let’s Reclaim Our Space,” the Congress aimed to elect new leaders to steer the Union forward.
The election commission for the 2024 Extraordinary Congress, comprised of Teah A. Doegmah, Hellen Nah Sammie, and Ernest K. Meccay, oversaw the voting process. Chairperson Teah A. Doegmah announced the results, declaring Julius Kullie Kanubah as the new president of the Press Union, with Beatrice elected as vice president. Akoi Baysah secured the position of secretary, while Julius DI Maria Konton was named assistant secretary.
Julius Kullie Kanubah received a total of 185 votes for the presidency, while Beatrice garnered 160 votes for the vice presidency. Akoi Baysah received 163 votes for secretary, and Julius DI Maria Konton obtained 115 votes for assistant secretary. Notably, Daniel Nyakonah received 29 votes for the presidency, and Bettie Johnson Mbayo secured 33 votes for the vice presidency.
The election saw a total of 1,236 ballots printed, with 216 ballots cast. The process included 19 non-votes and three invalid votes for the vice presidency, along with one invalid vote for the presidency.
