LIberia: NUDP Differs with PYJ

Nimba County Senior Senator Prince Y. Johnson’s recent decision to quit the National Union for Democratic Progress (NUDP) has been welcomed by the party. However, the party refuses to entertain the notion that Senator Johnson’s exit means a “big blow” to it.

Announcing his exit from the party earlier this week, Senator Johnson bragged of being the most popular figure of the party. He told a news conference Monday that he remains confident his supporters will follow him to whichever party he may join in the future.

But the NUDP yesterday differed with Senator Johnson that it has become weak because of his exit. It said it remains stronger than ever before.

According to authorities at the NUDP, Senator Johnson’s departure is in no way a blow to it. They said they remain undeterred by the Senator’s departure.

“Nimba will still vote for its citizen. Not because Senator Johnson is popular, so his departure will mean a big blow to the party. Nimba will stand behind its son in the forthcoming presidential bid,” they told state-radio ELBC.

Senator Johnson founded the NUDP during the race for the presidency in 2011. His party came third in those general and presidential elections. Anonymous sources say infighting within the party led to its political leader’s abrupt decision to quit.

He told a press conference Monday that his exit from the party would be documented in a letter due to be submitted to the National Elections Commission (NEC) by May 20. 

A native of Nimba County, Johnson allied with Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) during the early states of the country’s civil conflict.  He later split with Taylor and formed his own Independent National Patriotic Front (INPFL).

Believed to have received significant backing from the United States, Johnson surprised many by reaching Monrovia long before Taylor’s NPFL.  Johnson also staged a hugh coup against Taylor by capturing President Samuel Doe when the Liberian Head of State paid a surprise visit to the Free Port of Monrovia on September 29, 1990.  The Liberian leader was subsequently killed by Prince Johnson’s forces.