Expelled Executives from the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) have publicly apologized to the party’s Political Leader, Ambassador Dee Maxwell Kemayah, admitting they wrongly accused him of influencing their expulsion.
This gesture of reconciliation follows months of internal party conflict and a formal complaint filed against Ambassador Kemayah.
MOVEE has been grappling with political infighting for over six months, particularly after the suspension and eventual expulsion of key party executives: K. Mathew Shan, Jeremiah E. Paye, and Patrick Karmo.
The rift deepened following disagreements over the party’s direction and governance post-2023 elections.
A particularly contentious moment occurred when Mr. Paye and other NEC members issued an “unauthorized press statement” in May 2024, leading to their suspension.
These actions, taken without consultation with Ambassador Kemayah or the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), were among the reasons for their eventual expulsion.
The expelled executives believed Ambassador Kemayah was behind their ouster, prompting them to file a complaint with the National Elections Commission (NEC).
However, on October 21, 2024, the NEC Hearing Officer dismissed their case on procedural grounds, citing that the party’s internal grievance process had not been exhausted.
This ruling led to the former executives reconsidering their stance, and during a press conference on November 4, Paye and his colleagues expressed regret for their earlier accusations.
Paye acknowledged that they had wrongly blamed Ambassador Kemayah for their expulsion and thanked him for resolving the party’s internal issues.
“We are deeply sorry for our actions, and we are grateful for the political wisdom, statesmanship, and leadership demonstrated by Ambassador Kemayah during this difficult period,” Paye stated.
The expelled executives reaffirmed their confidence in Ambassador Kemayah as MOVEE’s Political Leader, praising his leadership qualities and calling for unity within the party.
They also withdrew all charges against him, declaring their intent to move forward in peace and solidarity.
“We now recognize Ambassador Kemayah as not only our Political Leader but also our mentor, role model, and guide,” Paye continued.
“Our goal is to put all differences aside and focus on the collective progress of MOVEE.”
Additionally, the expelled executives emphasized the need for an Emergency National Convention to address vacancies and other important matters.
The party is also planning a review of its constitution in the coming months.
Among other things, Paye called for unity within MOVEE, urging all partisans to leave behind past grievances and work together to strengthen the party under Ambassador Kemayah’s leadership.
“Let us focus on our shared vision and move forward as one political family,” he said.
The apology marks a turning point for MOVEE as it seeks to heal internal divisions and present a united front in the political landscape ahead of the 2029 general elections.
