Former Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) National Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu Jr. has officially returned to the opposition party, declaring that his decision is aimed at strengthening the CDC ahead of future political battles rather than pursuing any leadership ambition.
Morlu announced his return on Saturday after receiving a petition from grassroots supporters urging him to restore his membership in the party following his resignation as national chairman in June 2024.
Addressing supporters, Morlu emphasized that his comeback should not be viewed as an attempt to reclaim the chairmanship or seek any other leadership position within the former ruling party.
“In response to your petition, my statement today represents those who may have grown lukewarm toward the party and are prepared to return,” Morlu said. “I hereby restore my membership in the CDC.”
He stressed that his decision was driven by commitment to the party’s future rather than a desire for political office.
“I am not coming because I desire office,” he declared, noting that he voluntarily resigned from the chairmanship despite having six years remaining on his tenure.
Morlu said his departure from the party’s top leadership position was motivated by a desire to prevent deepening internal divisions in the aftermath of the CDC’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. According to him, stepping aside was necessary to preserve party unity and avoid a prolonged political crisis.
“The survival of the CDC was more important than holding onto a position,” he said, adding that he remains proud of the role his resignation played in fostering peace and stability within the party during a challenging period.
While reaffirming his loyalty to the CDC, Morlu warned that the party must overcome factional disputes and forge a united front if it hopes to regain political momentum ahead of the 2029 general and presidential elections.
“If I come back, I can be very relevant even as an ordinary member of the party,” he said. “I do not need a title to be effective. I do not need a title to serve.”
Morlu also urged future leaders of the CDC to embrace inclusiveness and prioritize party cohesion. He argued that successful leadership requires the ability to unify people from different camps, including those who may not support a leader’s agenda or political direction.
“A successful leader is one who brings people together to form a team, even those who do not support his leadership,” he said.
Beyond internal party matters, Morlu used the occasion to launch a scathing critique of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration, accusing the government of pursuing politically motivated prosecutions and practicing selective justice against members of the opposition.
He further called on the CDC to abandon what he described as its policy of constructive engagement with the government and instead adopt a more assertive opposition posture.
Morlu maintained that his return to partisan politics would not affect his role as chairman of the Solidarity Trust for a New Day (STAND), insisting that he remains committed to civic advocacy and independent political engagement.
“I am an accomplished revolutionary. I cannot be bought. I cannot be compromised,” he asserted.
The former CDC chairman also acknowledged that his decision could strain some personal relationships with individuals who disagree with his political stance. However, he argued that political differences should never be allowed to destroy friendships.
In that context, Morlu alleged that Deputy House Speaker Thomas Fallah denied him entry to his residence following reports that he was preparing to return to the CDC. He cited the incident as an example of how political disagreements can affect personal relationships.
Despite the challenges, Morlu described the CDC as one of Liberia’s most significant political institutions and emphasized that its future must transcend the ambitions of any individual leader.
“CDC, whether I accept your petition or not, is the future, and CDC must survive and outlive all of us,” he said.
Morlu’s return comes at a crucial moment for the opposition party as it seeks to rebuild its base, strengthen internal cohesion, and position itself as a formidable political force ahead of Liberia’s 2029 elections. His re-entry is expected to rekindle debate within the CDC while potentially energizing supporters seeking a more unified and aggressive opposition strategy in the years ahead.
