The expulsion of Representative Yekeh Kolubah on Friday, April 17, 2026, has sparked significant debate regarding its potential negative impact on
Liberia’s democracy. Critics and political analysts have raised several concerns about the implications of this rare legislative action:
On Friday, the House proceeded with the expulsion despite a Supreme Court stay order issued just a day earlier, which instructed all proceedings to halt until a conference scheduled for April 20, 2026. This defiance is viewed as a threat to the separation of powers and the authority of the judiciary.
Lawmakers such as Musa Hassan Bility have warned that the move appears to be a “politically driven” attempt to silence one of the most outspoken critics of the government. This could create a chilling effect, where other representatives fear retribution for dissenting views.
Organizations like STAND argue that using legislative power for “political exclusion and retaliation” sets a dangerous precedent that could weaken accountability and erode public trust in democratic institutions.
Kolubah and his supporters claim that his right to due process was violated, as the House Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration reportedly refused to allow his legal counsel to speak on his behalf.
Critics point out that the expulsion necessitates a costly by-election for District 10, which drains national resources that could otherwise be spent on healthcare, education, or infrastructure.
Conversely, supporters of the expulsion argue that Kolubah’s remarks regarding the Liberia-Guinea border dispute—specifically stating that certain territory belongs to Guinea—constituted a direct assault on national sovereignty and security, justifying his removal to protect the dignity and integrity of the House.
Meanwhile, the Opposition , CDC has Expelled all CDC Lawmakers Who Voted to Expel Rep. Kolubah Have Been Expelled From the Party with Immediate Effect
According to a statement by CDC National Chairman, Atty. Janga A. Kowo, the Party stated that it denounces ‘absolutely, categorically, and with the full force of revolutionary outrage’ the deceitful trajectory of President Joseph Boakai, a president who has traded the sovereignty of Liberia to protect few of his pollical elites.
The CDC statement averred that ‘From President Boakai’s hands, Liberia has witnessed the shameless alleged distribution of twenty-five thousand United States dollars ($25,000) to forty-nine (49) bought- to illegally expel Hon. Yekeh Kolubah of District #10, Montserrado County, from the fifty-fifth Legislature.
“We are alarmed by the alleged allocation of 1.2 million taxpayer dollars toward the removal of an elected representative, especially as pressing national security concerns remain unaddressed. These actions suggest a disregard for Liberia’s democratic principles and risk undermining national stability. The public statements of President Boakai to Executive Mansion Reporters yesterday confirms his complicity. The Boakai-Koung administration has chosen to disregard the Supreme Court, despite being asked to halt all proceedings. A government that repeatedly disregards the Supreme Court’s orders risks undermining democratic norms and encouraging violence.
The Boakai-Koung administration condones Human Rights abuses, Judicial abuses and extrajudicial killings with IG Gregory Coleman leading a police force that systematically suppresses peaceful citizens, targets students, and effectively silences dissent. As a direct consequence, access to justice for ordinary Liberians has been gravely compromised, replaced by an environment of fear and enforced silence. Few days ago, students from across Liberia assembled peacefully to protest for employment opportunities and youth empowerment. In response, they were subjected to excessive force, resulting in mass beatings, physical injuries, and unlawful detention without probable cause or legal justification. Such conduct constitutes a clear violation of their fundamental rights under the Constitution of Liberia and applicable international human rights instruments. Therefore, we call upon the student community to initiate legal proceedings against Mr. Gregory Coleman for assault, false imprisonment, and the unlawful use of state security forces functioning as de facto death squads to brutalize unarmed civilians who had committed no crime. We stand firm to support these students.
We like to remind the Unity Party that during the CDC government led by President Weah, Hon. Yekeh Kolubah and other opposition members were allowed to express their views without facing political retaliation, police violence, or bribery of lawmakers. In contrast, we believe the current administration is declaring war on the peace and democracy of our country, which the CDC strongly opposes.” The CDC statement continues.
The CDC further calls on the international community to intervene and protect the progress made in Liberia, as Billions of Dollars have been invested in our peace and democracy, and remaining silent as these democratic gains are threatened is a catastrophic risk.
“We ask our partners to act before Liberia faces renewed instability and war.
We demand that the rights and seat of Hon. Yekeh Kolubah be restored immediately; you cannot disenfranchise the good people of District Number ten simply because their lawmaker democratically disagrees with you. The CDC challenges the UP-led government to focus on the collapsed economy, mass unemployment, exploding drug trafficking, spiraling crime, and the open sewer of corruption this government has built. Stop using our taxes to illegally remove one man simply because he has the spine to oppose your failed, brutal policies.” CDC Chairm Kowo intone.
According to the CDC those allegedly took US$25,000 and participated by signing a Resolution to illegally remove Hon. Kolubah are: Ivar K. Jones, District 2, Margibi
Julie Fatorma Wiah, District 2, Lofa, Momo Siafa Kpoto, District 3, Lofa, Alexander Poure, District 1, River Gee, Choloplay Isaac Wuo, Distrct 2, River Gee, Johnson S.N. Williams, District 3, River Gee, and P. Mike Jury- District 1, Maryland.
The CDC release further mentioned that those lawmakers were instructed by the party not to participate in the Illegal removal of Speaker Jonathan Fonti Koffa, (they disobeyed the party) and now they have again participated in the illegal expulsion of their colleague, Hon. Yekeh Y. Kolubah. The party remains decisive in taking this disciplinary action against them.
“Be warned, Mr. Boakai, the people are rising, the resistance has begun, you cannot silence us. History shows that, when governments ignore legal authority, citizens often feel compelled to respond to defend their rights.” The CDC Statement concluded.
