Former President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Charles B. Coffey Jr., has reaffirmed the former leadership’s commitment to the organization amid ongoing internal disputes.
Speaking at the PUL Headquarters, Coffey addressed the recent ruling by the 9th Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga, Bong County concerning the PUL crisis.
Coffey stated, “We have gathered here to express our position on the court ruling regarding our beloved PUL. This latest ruling follows the resignation of former PUL Vice President Daniel Nyakonah and the reversal of Justice Joseph Nagbe’s decision.”
He acknowledged the court’s decision to uphold a bill of information filed by Julius Kanubah and the PUL leadership, membership, and election committees.
Team Kanubah had accused the PUL of failing to publish the voters’ roll, a claim Coffey dismissed as an attempt to destabilize the union for personal gain.
“The former leadership had invited Kanubah and his team to resolve the voters’ roll issue through dialogue, but instead, they chose to tarnish the union’s reputation with unfounded accusations,” Coffey said.
Despite the contentious ruling, Coffey announced that the former leadership would not pursue further legal action. “We believe that continuing this legal battle is not worth our time and effort. Our union has faced challenges from those who think they are better suited to lead it, but we will overcome as we have done before,” he asserted.
Coffey emphasized the importance of unity within the PUL, stating, “We remain committed members, whether from a distance or through active participation in debates about the union’s future. This step is crucial to resolving the election saga and moving forward in the interest of the country.”
He expressed hope that the union could move past grievances and focus on the vital role of the media in democracy. “We are dedicated to working with all stakeholders to prevent future issues and maintain the integrity of the press at all times,” Coffey added.
Coffey also addressed the mediation process that led to the court’s summary judgment in favor of Team Kanubah. “Our decision to disengage from the legal process was due to mediation by former PUL leaders. The process aimed to end the election crisis through out-of-court settlement,” he explained.
However, Coffey revealed that despite the mediation progress, Team Kanubah chose to continue the legal process. “They did not win on merit, and while we had the right to seek redress at the Supreme Court, we decided not to. We did not willfully or recklessly abandon the case, as some have speculated,” he clarified.
In the interest of fostering media solidarity and peace within the union, Coffey noted that two other contenders in the PUL election process also chose to halt further legal proceedings. “Let us continue to work together to strengthen the media’s role in promoting a fair, informed, and just society,” Coffey concluded.
