MONROVIA, Montserrado – The secretary general of the ruling Unity Party, Eugene Nagbe, has resigned his post.

Nagbe took the decision last week amid long running accusations from opposition political parties that he and other executive members were in violation of the code of conduct by serving in key positions in the party while at the same time serving as presidential appointees.

The Code of Conduct states that all officials appointed by the president are not allowed to “engage in political activities, canvas for elected offices; [use] government facilities, equipment or resources in support of partisan or political activities, or serve on a campaign team of any political party, or the campaign of any independent candidate.”

In his letter addressed to Unity Party Chairman Wilmot Paye, Nagbe said while he and others in the administration continue to “hold the fort” in supporting President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the end stage of her administration while the campaign team worked to get Vice President Joseph Boakai elected.

Liberty Party had earlier complained to the National Elections Commission against Nagbe and the ruling party over their violation of the Code of Conduct.

Liberty Party said Nagbe’s signing of the nomination listing while serving as Minister of Information was unlawful.

The party called on NEC to investigate its allegations and to apply the appropriate sanctions. It also called for the nullification of all documents signed by Nagbe.

Appearing before its complaint committee, Unity Party defended that it has violated no law, and called on the committee to drop the petition by the opposition party. A third hearing is pending to take place shortly before the committee.

Meanwhile, Liberty Party’s Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Darius Dillon has welcomed the resignation of Nagbe and called on other individuals still in violation of the law to follow suit.

“We were demanding people to respect and live by the rule of law, and Eugene has realized it,” Dillon said.

He said Liberty Party’s demand was for individuals to choose between their public positions and party loyalty.

Labour Minister Neto Lighe and the General Services Agency’s deputy director for administration, Cole Bangalu are still serving in key positions on Unity Party’s executive committee while still holding government position.

Julia Duncan Cassell who served as gender minister, also recently resigned her position to contest for a representative seat in Grand Bassa.

Dillon said Bangalu and Lighe are now under moral responsibility for following the footsteps of the minister of information.

Featured photo courtesy of T. Kla Wesley