DRAMATIC APPEARANCE

Rufus Neufville

Rufus Neufville attends first session

Julius Kanubah, FPA Legislative Correspondent julius.kanubah@frontpageaficaonline.com (+2316586240)

Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and Montserrado County Representative Rufus Neufville Thursday (April 28, 2011) made a dramatic appearance in the chamber of the House of Representatives, the first in 2011.

Representative Neufville surfaced in the House chamber nearly four Months after the House resumed its normal sitting in 2011, the last for the 52^nd National Legislature.

The Montserrado District two lawmaker told reporters he was not attending the House session after rumors emerged he was about to be suspended or expelled.

“Well I appeared in session amid speculation that there was a suspension threat or there is a resolution to expel me on the floor and now you saw me in session, there is no letter of suspension and resolution of expulsion for me”, explained Representative Nefville.

He said the rumors surfaced after he openly criticized the leadership of Speaker Alex Tyler for poor performance.

During his first appearance, Representative Neufville was involved in the debate of several issues to make his presence felt.

Meanwhile, the CDC lawmaker has announced a boycott of the party’s pending convention in Kakata, Margibi County.

“I’m not going at the CDC congress for now because I’m busy in my constituent and looking for member and doing my own political maneuvering”.

Representative Neufville said his decision is in continuation of his disagreement with the leadership of the CDC, chaired by Senator Geraldine Doe-Sheriff.

He confirmed to reporters that he will not run on the CDC ticket for re-election because the Party is supporting against aspirant against him.

“That’s our party and you know I’m one of the strongest members of the CDC. But my intention to go as independent is intended to protest against what I referred to as the political mismanagement of our party. Political mismanagement in several forms; I have a big fear of we are going to election, the entire Executive Committee members are all contesting for legislative seats then we are telling our voters out there that the CDC will not win. So, it’s kind of dog-eat-dog. It’s like you are on a ship and the captain is looking for live jacket or you are in a plane and the pilot is looking for a parachute, you got to be careful. Why should all the Executive Committee members of the CDC contest for Legislative seats. It’s a bad sign and it means the CDC will not win”.

Representative Neufville insisted that he will run as independent candidate to challenge any contender from his own CDC. It is thought that CDC Secretary General Acarous Gray is being pushed to contest against Representative Neufville who has been critical against the Chairman of the CD- Senator Geraldine Doe-Sheriff. He contends that Madam Doe-Sheriff needed to step down as chairman of the party while in her present capacity as a sitting Senator. Senator Doe-Sheriff has in the past rejected claims by Representative Neufville that her double role is a conflict of interest.