Published: November 6, 2026
MONROVIA — A fierce leadership dispute has erupted within the University of Liberia Alumni Association (AAUL), with a group of concerned alumni challenging the legitimacy of Acting President Martin Wleh Pennie and demanding independent electoral oversight, while his supporters have fired back, accusing the group of spreading misleading information and attempting to undermine the December elections.
The confrontation intensified Thursday when the Team Pennie Strategic AAUL Agenda Coordinating Committee issued a strongly worded statement rejecting allegations the Concerned Alumni raised Wednesday during a major news conference on the University of Liberia’s Capitol Hill campus.
Addressing Wednesday’s conference, Jacqueline Blio Tingban, speaking on behalf of the Concerned Alumni, accused Pennie of remaining in office beyond his constitutional mandate, arguing that the tenure of the association’s last elected leadership expired in 2021.
However, Team Pennie dismissed the allegations as misleading and politically motivated, accusing the group, also identified as Reformists, of attempting to distract alumni from the Dec. 4-5 electoral process.
“While we recognize the right of every alumnus and alumna to express opinions and participate in discussions concerning the affairs of the University of Liberia Alumni Association (AAUL), but we are deeply concerned about the misleading characterizations, selective presentation of facts, and apparent attempts to distract the alumni community from the ongoing electoral process,” Team Pennie declared.
The Concerned Alumni maintained that Pennie legitimately assumed the acting presidency following the death of President James S. Davis on Jan. 3, 2021, but argued that the association’s constitution does not authorize him to remain in that position indefinitely.
Citing Article VIII, Section 8, the group said elected officers serve two-year terms, while Article V, Section 2(2) permits the vice president for administration to act as president only until a successor is elected.
“An acting arrangement is a bridge to legitimate leadership, not a substitute for it,” the Concerned Alumni stated.
They questioned why elections were not conducted in 2021, 2023 and 2025, rejecting explanations involving COVID-19 restrictions and poor attendance at association meetings.
But Team Pennie countered that the leadership had made repeated efforts to organize meetings, mobilize members and conduct elections, blaming inadequate participation for previous failures.
“More importantly, the records show that the AAUL leadership called for elections on two separate occasions, but members did not demonstrate the necessary interest and participation to make those electoral exercises successful,” Team Pennie asserted.
The Concerned Alumni challenged that explanation, demanding documentary evidence, including meeting notices, attendance records and minutes, to substantiate claims of unsuccessful electoral attempts.
“If a quorum was never achieved during the five years’ period, can we conclude that the Acting President failed in five years to mobilize at least 30 alumni to attend any of the four constitutionally-required ordinary general assemblies (OGA) per year?” the group questioned.
Team Pennie did not attach the referenced records to its response but insisted that responsibility for participation rests with the entire alumni community.
The dispute has also extended to the credibility of the upcoming elections.
The Concerned Alumni questioned the independence of the existing Election Commission, citing alleged social relationships between its chairperson and Pennie, while demanding its immediate reconstitution.
They also alleged violations of constitutional deadlines governing the announcement of elections and establishment of the commission.
The group recalled an Oct. 20 stakeholder meeting convened by University of Liberia President Layli Maparyan, during which she proposed independent electoral oversight.
According to the Concerned Alumni, Pennie rejected the proposal and subsequently reported Maparyan to the university’s Board of Trustees.
“The Constitution cannot be invoked selectively. Its provisions must bind everyone, including those entrusted with administering the Association,” the group declared.
Team Pennie, however, accused its critics of employing scare tactics and creating unnecessary controversy.
“Team Pennie finds the latest call by the group identifying itself as ‘Reformists’ or ‘Concerned Alumni’ not only a resort to scare tactics but also a cacophony of accusations and distractions seemingly intended to divert the attention of alumni from the more important task of registering and participating in the ensuing AAUL elections,” the committee stated.
Nevertheless, Team Pennie expressed support for Maparyan’s call for constitutional compliance and credible elections.
“We fully support the principle that the AAUL Constitution must be respected and that the electoral process must be free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful,” it maintained.
Despite their sharp disagreements, both groups have pledged to participate in the December elections.
The Concerned Alumni insist that participation will not invalidate their constitutional objections, while Team Pennie maintains that the association’s future must be determined through democratic participation.
“Let us move beyond division, embrace constructive engagement, and allow the alumni community to speak through its votes,” Team Pennie said.
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