By Pewu Y. Sumo
ZWEDRU, Grand Gedeh County — A massive crowd gathered in Zwedru on Friday, June 27, 2026 for the official program marking the 22nd anniversary of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC). However, noticeably absent from the major political event was any visible presence of the Liberia National Police (LNP).
The gathering, held under the theme “Zwedru Rises: 2029 Victory Is the Final Destination,” transformed Grand Gedeh County into the epicenter of opposition politics since activities began on June 23. High-profile opposition figures—including Alternative National Congress (ANC) political leader Alexander B. Cummings, who delivered the keynote address, Musa Hassan Bility of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), and Simeon Freeman of the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC)—converged on Zwedru City. Political analysts view the joint appearance as an early signal of a united coalition ahead of the 2029 presidential election.
Despite the heavy influx of thousands of partisans, lawmakers, and high-profile dignitaries, there was no visible police presence at the event. Paradoxically, the anniversary program was held just a few meters away from the Zwedru Police Headquarters, directly opposite the Tubman Palace around the central Zwedru turning point.
The complete lack of state security at such a massive opposition gathering raised eyebrows, following days of political friction. The CDC leadership had previously accused Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung and Grand Gedeh County Senator Zoe Emmanuel Pennue of attempting to sabotage the event by blocking access to the Tubman Palace Football Field.
While the Office of the Vice President rejected the allegations, early morning tension on Friday, June 26, 2026, raised fresh concerns about whether the event could safely proceed at the pre-selected venue. Following mediation, the CDC leadership assured its partisans that the program would go ahead as planned at the field.
Speaking during the official program, Grand Gedeh County Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely raised sharp concerns over the security vacuum, questioning the state’s absence.
“The police is the state police that is supposed to provide us security. Do you see any policeman here?” Senator Nimely asked the crowd. “I don’t see any policeman here.”
The lawmaker went on to allege that the national law enforcement apparatus is being partisan.
“The police is only serving Unity Party people. They have turned leadership into power,” Sen. Nimely claimed.
Reflecting on the venue dispute, the Grand Gedeh County Senator argued that the situation should never have escalated to the point of friction or potential brutality.
“This is a simple matter; this place is not a football field. CDC said they wanted to have their program. You, the ruling party, failed to show leadership,” the Grand Gedeh lawmaker said, concluding that the ruling Unity Party administration should have demonstrated leadership by coordinating a designated date for the CDC to use the venue without incident.
As of the time of this report, the Liberia National Police Grand Gedeh County Detachment did not respond to the concern raised by Senator Nimely.
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