UP Chair Tarpeh Clarifies ‘Helping Verb’ Comment, Apologizes to Alliance Parties

MONROVIA – Chairman of the ruling Unity Party (UP), Rev. Dr. Luther Tarpeh, has publicly apologized to members of the Rescue Alliance after controversial remarks in which he described some allied political parties as “helping verbs” sparked a wave of backlash and accusations of political arrogance and ingratitude.

Chairman Tarpeh clarified that the comment, made during an informal exchange with journalists in Beeplay, Nimba County, was never intended to belittle or ridicule smaller political parties that played crucial roles in bringing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to power during the 2023 elections.

The Controversial Remark and the Backlash

The controversy erupted when Chairman Tarpeh, in responding to a journalist’s question about the political future of the Unity Party, jokingly remarked that smaller political parties have acted as “helping verbs” to the UP and the CDC—Liberia’s two dominant post-war political parties.

His analogy, likening minor parties to grammatical “helping verbs” that support “main verbs,” was widely interpreted as dismissive and sparked outrage among alliance members, political commentators, and the public.

Many critics said the comment reflected political elitism and threatened to undermine the very coalition that brought the Unity Party back to power in 2023, after a bruising defeat to George Weah’s CDC in 2017.

The Political Context: Liberia’s History of Alliances

In post-war Liberia, political alliances have been critical to winning elections. In 1997, Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Party (NPP) won the presidency singlehandedly with over 70% of the vote, largely due to public fears that not electing the former rebel leader would plunge the country back into war.

Since then, however, no single party has comfortably secured power without forming strategic alliances:

• In 2005, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Unity Party had to align with smaller parties to defeat George Weah’s CDC in the presidential runoff.
• In 2011, a similar coalition model helped UP retain power.
• In 2017, George Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) formed the Coalition for Democratic Change, joining with the NPP and the Liberia People’s Democratic Party (LPDP), to defeat the ruling UP.
• And in 2023, the UP—then in opposition—formed the Rescue Alliance with other political groupings, including the Liberty Party, ALCOP, and others, to reclaim the presidency.

Tarpeh’s Clarification and Apology

In a statement released on September 1, 2025, the Unity Party’s National Coordinating Committee (NCC), acting on behalf of its National Executive Committee (NEC), expressed “deep regret” over the controversy and emphasized that Tarpeh’s remarks were taken out of context.

“The Chairman’s comments were made in a light-hearted exchange with Representative Musa Bility of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) and were not intended to belittle any political party or alliance member,” the UP statement read.

Tarpeh himself clarified that his use of “helping verb” was meant to reflect a political reality—that since Liberia’s civil war, only the Unity Party and the CDC have held the presidency, while smaller parties have historically allied with either side.

But he acknowledged that the analogy may have been poorly received and has therefore issued a formal apology.

“I sincerely apologize to our alliance members for the misinterpretation of my remarks,” Tarpeh said. “We remain committed to the values of mutual respect, collaboration, and shared governance that brought us together as a Rescue Alliance.”

Unity Party Reaffirms Commitment to Coalition Partners

The UP reaffirmed its appreciation for the critical role alliance members played in the party’s 2023 electoral success and emphasized its commitment to maintaining a respectful and inclusive political environment.

“The Unity Party acknowledges the invaluable contributions of Alliance Parties in bringing the current administration to power and appreciates the ongoing support for President Boakai’s government,” said Lansana Pawenneh Fofana, UP’s Assistant Secretary General for Press, Publicity & Outreach.

The statement also called on all Alliance members to continue fostering unity and refrain from actions or rhetoric that may weaken the coalition’s cohesion.

“As President Boakai works to position Liberia on a path to greatness, the Unity Party remains steadfast in its dedication to upholding the Rescue Alliance and ensuring the continuity and success of our government,” the statement concluded.

Moving Forward

Political observers say the apology could help calm tensions within the ruling coalition and prevent potential fractures that might impact governance. However, it also serves as a reminder of the delicate balancing act that governing coalitions must maintain—especially in a country with a deeply fragmented political landscape. As Liberia’s political actors gear up for the 2029 general elections, respect and inclusivity within alliances will be critical—not only for electoral success, but for national unity and progress.