By By: Staff Writer
Monrovia, Liberia — A growing war of words within Liberia’s opposition political space has intensified, with Representative Sumo Mulbah sharply rebuking ANC stalwart Moriah Yeakula-Korkpor and challenging the party to redirect its focus toward a viable path to the presidency.
Mulbah dismissed Yeakula-Korkpor’s critique of his recent comments on treason as “overblown” and “misleading,” arguing that the ANC figure concentrated on a minor citation error while ignoring the broader substance of his position.
“Let’s be clear, this so-called ‘analysis’ by Moriah Yeakula is nothing more than an overblown attempt to sound intellectually superior while completely missing the substance of the issue,” Mulbah stated.
The lawmaker acknowledged referencing Article 71 instead of Article 76 of the 1986 Constitution in a previous remark but maintained that the mistake does not undermine his argument. According to him, his position has consistently been anchored on Article 76, which addresses treason.
Mulbah further criticized what he described as a “selective” interpretation of treason laws, insisting that the matter extends beyond technical legal definitions. He pointed to recent comments by fellow lawmaker Representative Yekeh Kolubah, suggesting that statements implying Liberian land belongs to another country raise serious concerns about national sovereignty.
“The issue isn’t just about ticking off technical elements from a penal code like it’s a classroom exercise,” he said. “It’s about the spirit and implications of statements made by a sitting lawmaker.”
In his response, Mulbah also rejected Yeakula-Korkpor’s reliance on the repeal of Liberia’s sedition law in 2019, arguing that evolving legal frameworks do not absolve public officials of their duty to protect national integrity.
“Trying to hide behind repealed statutes instead of addressing the gravity of the conduct is intellectual dishonesty,” he asserted.
He additionally accused the ANC stalwart of deflecting attention by introducing unrelated border issues, stressing that concerns about sovereignty enforcement and accountability of public officials can coexist.
“Two issues can exist at once,” Mulbah noted. “Raising questions about enforcement of national sovereignty in one instance does not cancel the need to hold public officials accountable.”
The exchange stems from Yeakula-Korkpor’s earlier statement questioning Mulbah’s understanding of the Constitution. Yeakula-Korkpor argued that Article 71 does not address treason and emphasized that both the Constitution and Liberia’s Penal Code define treason through specific acts—none of which, he said, were met by Kolubah’s controversial remarks.
He further contended that Liberia is not at war with Guinea, and therefore statements about territorial ownership do not meet the threshold for treason. Instead, he suggested that sedition—now repealed—might have been a more relevant charge.
Yeakula-Korkpor also shifted attention to alleged mining activities along the Liberia-Guinea border, questioning why authorities have not investigated the matter or addressed Guinea’s reported seizure of equipment.
But Mulbah dismissed those arguments as distractions, concluding his response with a pointed political jab at the ANC.
“Instead of chasing clout with half-baked arguments, Moriah should focus on something more productive,” he said. “Please focus on how your ANC leader will become president.”
The public disagreement highlights deepening internal tensions and strategic divisions within opposition ranks, as political actors grapple not only with legal interpretations but also with broader questions of leadership, credibility, and the road to Liberia’s highest office.
