By Ibrahim A. Sherif
MONROVIA, Oct. 12 (LINA) – As the political scrimmage amongst members of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) deepens, the head of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander B. Cummings, has challenged the acting Chairperson of the CPP, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence to “act in good faith for once” and submit to the committee a probe report and the ANC’s dissent to the CPP’s lawyers.
Cummings, it can be recalled, was accused by his colleagues in the CPP of “nefariously” altering provisions of the Framework Agreement which was filed by the CPP a year ago, leading it to constitute a committee to probe the matter.
The committee then came up with a report followed by a dissent from the ANC representative.
“I want to challenge Sen. Karnga-Lawrence to act in good faith for once and submit the Committee Report and the ANC’s dissent to the lawyers as agreed in our NAC meeting last Wednesday.” Cummings noted.
Cummings’ accusers, mainly Benoni Urey of the ALP, claimed that he received intelligence that some “nefarious individuals” within the leadership of the CPP had “dubiously, viciously and purposefully” altered portions and clauses of the Framework Document and replaced them with “alien clauses” to engender hidden agenda.
The altercation over the CPP’s framework document is said to have taken place under the leadership of the ANC political leader, Alexander Benedict Cummings, and has led to some members of the collaboration pointing guilty fingers at the ANC leader.
Meanwhile, the acting Chairperson of the CPP in her statement alluded to the fact that there were alterations in the CPP’s Framework Agreement, stressing that the proper procedures for amending or changing provisions within the Original Framework Document as prescribed in Article 12 was not followed.
“In light of the violations in procedures and content change, it is reasonable enough that Mr. Cummings summons the courage to take ownership of all that has transpired and the crisis thereof,” Senator Lawrence said after naming all of the provisions that were allegedly altered in the CPP’s Framework agreement.
However, the ANC political leader refutes allegations that he changed provisions of the Framework Agreement, terming the accusation as false and misleading.
“I and the ANC DID NOT alter the provisions of the Framework Document. The Framework Document amended by the legal advisors and approved by all Parties is materially, substantially and provisionally the same as the Framework Document filed with the National Elections Commission to register the CPP,” Cummings emphasized.
He revealed that the formation of the CPP was about ensuring that accountability and good governance were the standards to which they held Weah and themselves, which, according to him, is not the case with the CPP.
“Unfortunately for some, those standards do not apply to us in the CPP. For me, that is deceptive, not just to ourselves, but to the Liberian people. We must be the change we seek,” Cummings said.
He promised to apologize to Liberians and take full responsibility if lawyers of the CPP confirm that the provisions of the Framework document submitted by the ANC to NEC is materially and substantially different from the amendments made by the lawyers and approved by the parties.
The ANC leader then cautioned political leaders of the Unity Party, Liberty Party and the All Liberian Party to do the same if the lawyers find that what is filed at NEC is materially and substantially the same as the provisions in their Amendments.
Cummings alleged that the action by his colleagues in the CPP is because of fear that he will win through their primary process; stressing “Their fear of me winning the primary process is what is fueling this malicious reputation damage. This is intended to have me leave the process so they avoid the primary which they know they will lose.”
LINA IAS/WSG/PTK
