The leadership of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) wishes to make a clear and definitive statement regarding the status of the vacant positions of Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General. The decision made by the erstwhile court-mandated Interim Committee to declare these positions vacant is final and non-negotiable, unless reversed by the general membership.
This clarification aims to dispel any misconceptions surrounding the availability of these roles to the two members who, after being elected, declined to take the constitutionally required oath of office. Regrettably, both individuals boycotted the induction ceremony held on October 1, 2024.
The PUL leadership finds the recent action of these members disrespectful, particularly their statement posted late on Saturday, May 31, 2025, on social media, wherein they proclaimed their intent to “resume full execution of our duties,” effective June 2.
For the record, the PUL leadership is NOT aware of any formal agreement or ceremony by which the two members concerned would, in their own words, “effective June 2nd … resume full execution of … duties” at the PUL.
Their choice to publicize their intentions on social media, rather than consulting with the PUL leadership, is viewed as a significant breach of protocol, akin to the disrespect exhibited to the court mandated Interim Committee and the general membership.
This conduct undermines the genuine efforts of the PUL leadership and the Executive Committee, who have been actively engaged since November 2024 in seeking viable solutions concerning the announced vacancies in the face of huge institutional challenges inherited from the previous administration including a debt of nearly 30–thousand US Dollars and a deficit of public trust.
On October 17, 2024, the previous Interim Leadership, established by court order, conveyed to the Ninth Circuit Court in Gbarnga, Bong County, that new elections would be conducted for these vacant positions after the two members rejected a second change to be inducted at a separate ceremony.
Written responses received by the Interim Committee on 10 October 2024 from the two concerned members indicated their dissatisfaction with the rerun elections held on September 21, 2024, despite their participation in the process they would later deem a “violation of the PUL constitution.” Their references to a related frivolous legal case, which was later dismissed on March 5, 2025, by the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court of Montserrado County, further pointed to their scheme to unduly obstruct the operations of the Union.
In the interest of moving forward, it should be said that the two gentlemen were given a third opportunity to redeem their seats, when our leadership magnanimously approached them on November 28, 2024, to take the vacant seats, but they chose not to utilize the opportunity because they probably wanted to please their handlers. We sincerely sympathize with the two members, but we should never treat the PUL with contempt.
Consequently, it is imperative to clarify that at this stage no individual who has neither taken the constitutional oath of office nor been inaugurated can assume leadership roles within the PUL elected hierarchy without a unanimous or two-thirds decision by the PUL Executive Committee and the general membership. Any belief to the contrary is mistaken.
The PUL leadership firmly asserts its legal authority and reserves the right to take necessary actions to uphold the integrity of our Constitution and the Union itself. We strongly advise the concerned members to recognize this reality and act accordingly. If they genuinely seek reconciliation, they must engage through the appropriate channels within the Union, rather than resorting to social media gimmick.
In closing, while we remain committed to fostering an environment of reconciliation and unity, our dedication to professionalism, accountability, and integrity remains unwavering. This commitment is fundamental to the mission and vision of the Press Union of Liberia. In the coming days, the PUL Executive Committee will convene in its quarterly meeting, after which the general membership meeting for the first half of the year will be called. Service to our Union is constitutional and not at own choosing and pleasure.
