Published: May 15, 2026
PAYNESVILLE — The Liberia Football Association holds its long-awaited Elective Congress today in Paynesville City, bringing to a close months of court injunctions, legal battles and governance controversy that repeatedly threatened to derail the vote entirely.
The election process stalled in March when a court injunction temporarily froze all LFA activities. Challenges from presidential aspirants dragged the football body into weeks of civil court hearings before the Civil Law Court lifted the injunction in mid-March, allowing the LFA Elections Committee to resume preparations and set a timeline for nominations, vetting and campaigning.
Three candidates withdrew from the process on Thursday, citing concerns over fairness and transparency, deepening doubts about the credibility of today’s vote on the eve of the election.
Emmett Stages Glassco, campaign chairman for disqualified presidential aspirant Cassell A. Kuoh, pulled out of the Executive Committee race, saying he could not continue after Kuoh’s exclusion. He urged the football community to uphold justice and democratic values. Wilmot F. Smith, a former LFA vice president for operations, withdrew with sharper language, alleging a “fundamentally compromised and fraudulent process” and accusing the Elections Commission chairman of lacking independence and impartiality in a statement addressed to LFA Secretary General Emmett Crayton. James K. Nimene, also a candidate for the Executive Committee, withdrew in solidarity with Kuoh, citing concerns over the credibility and fairness of the electoral process.
Incumbent President Mustapha I. Raji will contest his third term unopposed after Kuoh, CEO and president of FC Fassell, was disqualified by the electoral committee on eligibility grounds under Articles 45.4 and 58.1 of the LFA’s 2018 amended statutes. Raji’s uncontested candidacy has shifted attention to other races, particularly the lone women’s seat on the Executive Committee, which three candidates are contesting. More than 18 men are competing for 13 remaining Executive Committee slots, making those contests the focal point of today’s vote.
Kuoh, speaking on the eve of the election, framed his disqualification in constitutional terms. “I remain committed to pursuing all lawful and available remedial processes to ensure that my fundamental rights are protected and not subjected to arbitrary limitation,” he said. “The principles at stake extend beyond any single election. They go to the very core of fairness, legality, and the integrity of our football governance system.” He described the disqualification not as a setback but as a test of resilience, and called on supporters to remain calm and united. “Unity is not merely symbolic,” he added. “It is the foundation upon which the future of our game must be built.”
For many in Liberia’s football community, today’s vote represents more than a leadership contest. It is seen as an opportunity to reset the association’s direction after months of uncertainty that have damaged its public standing. FIFA has been notified of the developments and is expected to send observers to monitor transparency. Whether the election delivers the clean break the sport needs, or adds another chapter to the LFA’s governance troubles, will depend on what happens in Paynesville today.
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