Monrovia – Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has declared that the Liberty Party is prepared to contest and win Liberia’s presidency in 2029, a bold political statement that is already raising questions about the party’s relationship with its governing ally, the Unity Party.
By Jaheim Tumu, jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com
Speaking during the Liberty Party’s 21st anniversary celebration in Monrovia, Dillon told supporters that the party’s years of struggle, division, and survival have positioned it for a stronger future.
“Now that Arsenal have won a cup, Liberty Party will win the presidential election as well,” Dillon said to loud applause, drawing a comparison between the English football club’s recent success and his party’s political aspirations.
“Our history is with joy, some sadness, some rough roads, some tough times, but we are here together because of the grace of God and our resilience,” he added.
Dillon’s remarks signaled a growing determination within the Liberty Party to move beyond its role as a coalition partner and position itself as a serious contender for national leadership in 2029.
From Coalition Partner to Presidential Contender
The Liberty Party played a critical role in helping President Joseph Boakai and the Unity Party secure victory in the 2023 presidential election.
Despite internal divisions that split the party into rival factions, the party’s support proved influential in a race decided by fewer than 21,000 votes. The narrow margin highlighted the electoral value of the Liberty Party’s base and reinforced its relevance in Liberia’s political landscape.
However, Dillon’s declaration also revives an unresolved question: Can the Liberty Party continue as a junior partner in the Unity Party-led coalition while simultaneously preparing its own presidential bid?
That question has lingered since comments made by Unity Party Chairman Rev. Luther Tarpeh in 2025, when he described coalition partners as “helping verbs.”
“Since the end of Liberia’s civil war, only two major parties, the Unity Party and the Coalition for Democratic Change have governed the nation,” Tarpeh said at the time. “Every other smaller party is a helping verb.”
The statement drew a sharp response from Liberty Party’s Chairman Martin Saye Kollah.
“We want to lead this country. We want power. That is why we founded a party,” Kollah declared. “We are not here to be a cheering squad for other parties. We are not a helping verb. We want to lead this country.”
Kollah’s response reflected growing sentiments within the Liberty Party that the party should be viewed as a future governing force rather than a permanent coalition partner.
Dillon’s latest remarks appear to reinforce that position.
A Party That Survived Internal Turmoil
Dillon reminded supporters that the Liberty Party had survived political battles that could have destroyed many organizations.
“Many institutions that have gone into the kind of wrangle that we saw and went through have never come back home,” he said. “Liberty Party, home and abroad, give yourself a hand of applause.”
The anniversary celebration served as both a reflection on the party’s survival and a declaration of its future ambitions.
Karnga-Lawrence Calls for Unity and Renewal
In her keynote remarks, Liberty Party Political Leader and Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence emphasized that the party’s future must be anchored in unity rather than personality-driven politics.
“This anniversary is not a finish line. It is a starting point,” she told supporters. “Let us leave here renewed in strength, united in purpose, and ready for the future.”
She stressed that the party’s identity was built on principles and collective purpose.
“We did not build this party on personalities. We built it on principles. Not on division, but on unity. Not on what divides Liberians, but on what unites us.”
Karnga-Lawrence described the party’s 21-year journey as one marked by loyalty, resilience, forgiveness, reconciliation, and perseverance.
She challenged members to embrace three priorities: renew their strength, claim their future, and keep the promise of a Liberia where every voice matters.
“The future does not belong to those who wait,” she said. “It belongs to those who organize, who show up, and who act.”
Boakai Administration Praises LP Partnership
Delivering remarks on behalf of President Joseph Boakai, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Samuel A. Stevquoah praised the Liberty Party’s contributions to the ruling coalition and acknowledged its role in bringing the Unity Party government to power.
“Twenty-one years in the life of a political party in Liberia is a significant achievement,” Stevquoah said.
He emphasized President Boakai’s appreciation for the partnership between the two parties.
“The President recognizes and deeply appreciates the indispensable role the Liberty Party has played in bringing the Unity Party government to power,” he stated.
Quoting a favorite lesson of President Boakai, Stevquoah added: “When spiderwebs unite, they can tie up a lion.”
According to him, the proverb symbolizes the strength that comes through political cooperation and collective action.
Stevquoah also welcomed criticism from Liberty Party leaders, particularly Senator Dillon.
“When Senator Dillon criticizes this administration, we accept it in good faith,” he said. “When he stands up for what he believes is right, we appreciate that as well.”
He argued that political partnerships should extend beyond elections and continue through governance.
“Political partnerships should not end with elections. They should continue through good governance and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our people.”
Future Alliance Faces New Political Reality
While both parties publicly celebrated their partnership during the anniversary event, Dillon’s presidential declaration highlighted a potential political dilemma ahead of 2029.
As the Liberty Party seeks to transform its history of struggle into a pathway toward state power, questions remain about whether its alliance with the Unity Party can survive competing presidential ambitions.
For now, both parties remain partners in government. But with Liberty Party leaders increasingly asserting their desire to occupy the Executive Mansion themselves, the road to 2029 may test the durability of one of Liberia’s most important political alliances.
