Political leaders of the small, but developmental oriented Gbandi tribe have in recent time been involved in deadly political maneuvering and leadership controversies. But prior to this day, the tribe has had some of the worst detectors ranging from traditional and national leaders.
I am sure a lot of us still record the Sekou Dudu’s infamous court, the political maneuvering of the late Kekula B. Kporto, Sr, the Hon. Jusu Dunor hegemony and Paramount Chief Kollie.
In fact according to one of the current elders, Paramount Chief Kollie was so powerful that he told the people the day is arrested by his friend man; he would not live to tell the story, meaning he will die.
And so it happened when he and several others local officials got arrested after the 1980 coup d’état that led to the gruesome murder of President William R. Tolbert. Chief Kollie, according to some key eyewitnesses immediately got sick and did not survive from that sickness even after his release.
Whatever the case maybe and be it as it may, these people played their parts and some have ever since departed this world-while we have now entered a new era of leadership and political dispensation characterized by democracy.
What are some of the indicators of bloody 2017?
The indicators are many, but I will discuss few and keep the rest for 2017. The first one, although being described as developmental is the creation of two additional districts within the Gandi Land. The idea behind the establishment of additional districts has ever since been lauded by many citizens while some including me have given critical views as to the rationale behind the division of our people.
Well, although development is the primary reason for the creation of two additional districts, but events marking presentation of Act creating these districts have even caused more injury to the already fragile relationship between and amongst the leaders than before.
What is even of more interest is that, the two Acts were presented in the same month which speaks volume of the intent of the separations. As if it was a competition, the two acts were presented in March of 2016. One was on March 13, 2016 and the other was on March 26, 2016.
In any giving situation and whether these events occurred by coincident or not, there are people who strongly believe that there is political rivalry or struggle for power which in my mind is possible given what transpired during these programs.
For example, during presentation of Act creating Lukambeh as Administrative District, the Paramount Chief of Kolahun, Jallah Manjoe and Commissioner Morris Tamba were
absent in persons, but represented by their office staff. It is important to note that prior to the separations, the two Kolahun District officials were spearheading the entire Gbandi land including the new districts.
Additionally, it was also observed that the two Kolahun District officials were also left out of the remark component of the program. Rather, it was Qardu Bondi Paramount Chief, Musa Kamara and the Commissioner of Foya Statutory District who made remark on behalf of the Paramount Chiefs and Commissioners respectively.
Sociologists believe that the nonappearance of such people from the Lukambeh program coupled with the decision to deny them the opportunity to make remark at program marking the autonomous status of a portion of land they once controlled will go down long in the history of the Gbandi people.
Speeches and Exchanges
One of the most talk-about speeches is the one delivered by KBK Sando at program marking the official presentation of Act establishing Lukambeh as administrative district. Mr. Sando in his self-offered prayer said, “Before I speak, let me pray for myself. Oh Lord, protect me among my friends, and as for my enemies, leave them with me-I will take care of them”.
This prayer is still being described as the most controversial prayer in the 21 century political history of one of Liberia’s indigenous groups (Gbandi). It suggests that KBK Sando is prepared to decisively deal with his opponents in whatever form and manner that will make him success in 2017 should he decides to context.
As a Chairperson of the Program Committee, KBK Sando described the decision to leave Paramount Chief Jallah and Commissioner Morris Tamba out of the remark area of the program as a well thought-through process by the organizing committee of the program, noting that it was not an oversight.
He added that not everyone invited at a program can have the opportunity to speak at such program. He bragged that the Chairman of the Council of Paramount Chiefs, Musua Kamara of Quardu Gbondi Districts was selected to speak on behalf of the Chiefs.
Up to now, people are still grappling with the decision to deny the two senior Kolahun District officials from making remark at program for a piece of land they was once controlled.
Another sticky and widely-discussed issue was the decision not to have allowed Representative Clarence Massaquoi in whose district the program took place to present the Act.
Some elders believed then, that, it should have been Honorable Massaquoi, who they claimed was the most senior government official, while others especially KBK believed that the representative did nothing to have been given such responsibility/role.
In what KBK Sando described as a statement of threat and intimidation, Representative Massaquoi asked the people of the new district to pray for those who do not respect leaders. He also told them that the new district can only move forward if they practice truth telling and forget about slandering the character of others.
He added that the people of the new district should always appreciate people who triggered the creation of the new district regardless of who they are and their connections.
He cited a parable that, before one picks the coffee from the tree; he or she will have to use the hook to bend it. He said it is he who has the hook for the new district, and should therefore be respected along with other leaders.
He used the occasion to call on citizens of the new district to remember others who played major role in the creation of the district, but were not recognized by the program committee. The Unexpected Stay Of Representative Massaquoi & Team In Botoheway On The Eve of the Presentation.
Expected to have spent the night in Passolahun on the eve of the program, Representative Massaquoi and entourage decided to discontinue their journey to Passaolahun and spend the night in the nearby town of Botoheway to the surprise of everyone including me who was travelling with him in the capacity of a Journalist.
Though details of the Honorable’s decision to spend the night in Botoheway was not disclose to me, but the atmosphere suggests that political condition was not too favorable in Passasolahun for the embattled District #3 Lawmaker admits the present of three of his political rivals in persons of Siafa Kpoto, Vaforay Kamara and KBK Sando day before the program.
While in Botoheway, a group of young men delegation came from Passolahun at about 7-8 pm. The men claimed that they were sent by the chiefs and elders of Passolahun to come and ask Honorable Massaquoi to continue his journey to Passolahun that night.
When the matter was reached to him (Rep. Massaquoi), he in return referred the delegation to the chiefs and elders of Botoheway.
The chiefs and elders of Botoheway welcomed the invitation for their Representative, but told the delegation that it was not possible to have allowed a national leader who they claimed was in their custody to travel late at night, especially to a place where report coming in was not too favorable for him.
Former Representative Aspirant versus Prominent Woman
In a strong wordy historical highlight, former Representative aspirant, Momo Siafa Kporto openly accused prominent woman Ma Tete Njay Sessay as one of those who
masterminded the delays in creating the Lukambeh District.
Specifically, Mr. Kpoto said Ma Tete as she is commonly called was supposedly the Marketing Chairperson during the occupation of Kolahun by rebels of the Liberia United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) who, according to the boastful talking politician bought rice from the business women of Hemba at a giveaway price and sold it at what he termed as exorbitant rate.
What is even of more astonishment is, Kporto, all through all his deliberations from the dialogue stage to the formal program, refused to recognize the Honorable title of Representative Massaquoi.
He rather called him Clarence or Representative Massaquoi. “I wonder how he expects people to call him the day he is elected as Representative, remarked a curious participant.
In a rather unforgiving response to Kporto’s allegation, the perplexed looking Ma Tete Njay Sessay termed the allegation as political and misrepresentation of the fact. She denied claims by Mr. Kpoto that she was the Marketing Chairlady of Kolahun during the occupation of LURD.
Rather she said it was one Mamai Kpoto who was the Marketing Chairlady of Kolahun district during the occupation of LURD and not her. Ma Tete Njay Sessay clarified that at no time she served as Marketing Chairlady of Kolahun District during the LURD period.
In her concluding statement, the staunch supporter of the current Representative Clarence Massaquoi said Kpoto as an honorable man should have known better than that. She vowed to ensure that Representative Massaquoi is reelected.
March 26, 2016-the day of the presentation of Act establishing Wanhasa as Administrative District. Perhaps based on lesson learned from Lukambeh program, Hon. Massaquoi decided to boycott the Wanhasa Program. His absence raised eyebrows among local officials who were present at the program.
Hoping that all is well this time around, Kamatahun and some surrounding towns/villages deliberately boycotted the Wanhasa program.
It is not clear as to the decision by those towns to boycott the program, but multiple sources say, their action was predicated upon the failure by stakeholders to address controversies surrounding the district headquarter before the program.
It seemed the boycott action did not go down well with Representative Julie Fatorma Wiah of District #2. Speaking during the program, she was caught on cameral weeping over the level of disunity among her people and said that, all is not well. She called on the elders to join her in bringing peace to her district.
The by-election
During the by-election to replace the fallen Lawmaker, Fofie Saah Bimba in December of 2015, three traditional entrenched relatives decided to contest despite frantic efforts by some elders for the Gbandi tribe to produce a single candidate in that election.
The elders’ decision for the tribe to produce a single candidate was predicated upon past election results in which all those who contested from the Gandi tribe lost.
It is my understanding that the failure of the three brothers namely Vaforay Kamara, Moisema Kamara and Arma Kanneh to agree to the elders’ proposal was due to political differences that roused from the 2014 mid-term senatorial election that saw Stephen Zargo emerged as winner.
Unconfirmed report say an aspirant in that election deliberately fueled a candidate in the by-election to spoil the chances of those he perceived to have undermined his chances of winning the mid-senatorial election.
And just as it was calculated by several others, all three of the traditional brothers lost the election to a lady many still believe could not have won the election because according to them, she was not popular in the area.
The bitterness from the by-election is still hunting the Gbandi people with many predicting a bloody 2017 political activities if care is not taken to promptly address unfinished businesses resulting from that election.
The Mysterious Collapse of the Young Center
On May 9, 2017, one James J.N. Morlu believed to be a strong supporter of former Representative Aspirant, Momo Siafa Kporto accused the current Lawmaker, Clarence Massaquoi and one of his office staff of receiving and diverting 50% of money intended for the construction of the Kolahun Youth Center.
Similarly, Morlu reported that the unfinished Youth Center collapsed due to what he called abandonment and lack of funding to continue the project. Read Morlu’s Posts.
“The prolong Kolahun youth center pronounced by the office of hon. Massaquou to be build within 3months has collaped after been abadoned due to lack of funds for 1yr.According to reliable sources, $50,000USD was disbursed; the office of hon.
Massaquoi scandal 50% and 50%was taken to the district by staffs of the hon. and the engineer-they used substandar materials; can you immagine unroof building-not even to window level collaped. This is wickeness and evil. Posted May 9, 2016”.
Morlu’s post continue:
“Corruption Break Silent. There is a plan on the way by some citizens of Kolahun District to engage the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC)to invite four persionalties:
Mr. Johnson Armah, Hon. Masaquoi, one Morris to be identify from PMU and the Engineer of Kolahun youth center. The invitation is all about clarifying the allege US$50,000 that was release by Govt to build Kolahun youth center.
People faught over the money; half of the money was scanda-up to now the building is still at foundation level over one year. The above personalities are suspect and one them is willing to expatiate from the craddle to the grave of the happening” Posted April 29, 2016”.
Representative Side of the story
When I caught up with Hon. Massaquoi on the allegation, he threw out an open challenge to anyone to prove that he and his office staff received money. He promised to resign if it can be proven that he indeed received and diverted 50% of money intended for the youth center-terming the allegation as pedestrian talk.
LACE Side of the story
Contrary to claim by Morlu that the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment paid out 50% of the Youth Center money to Representative Massaqoui, the Project Coordinator of LACE Mr. Dolopey in interview with me on May 10, 2016 said his agency has never release a cent to Rep. Massaquoi.
“We have never made payment to Honorable Clarence Massaquoi for youth center project. That whole project is on pre-financing basis. So no payment can be made to individual lawmaker”, LACE Project Coordinator said.
The LACE Project Coordinator indicated that any wanting to seek clarity on the Youth Center can do so by calling him on 0886517721.
“Give my number to any to contact me on the status of these projects. I will be going to Salayea, Zorzor, Voinjama, Qudru Gboni, Kolahun, Foya and Vahun. Let them
contact me”, he emphasized.
Amidst widespread report about the collapse of the Youth Center, there are indications of foul play which may have led to the current state of the Kolahun Youth Center. Political scientists are attributing the mysterious collapse of the youth center to political maneuvering by individuals perceived to be oppositions.
“For a building at lintel level without any crack to collapse suggests that there was force applied on it being it human or natural. Besides, a free standing wall without any sign of deflection cannot just collapse by itself when there is not force. Only a law bearing wall can collapse just like that”, intoned one structural engineer who reviewed the collapsed bricks.
Well, if indeed is true that oppositions are responsible for the collapse of the Kolahun District Youth Center which was built with taxpayers’ money, then one can imagine how bloody 2017 would be. The political grounds might just as well be bloody if such perception remains until 2017 general and Presidential elections.
Tahamba versus Hembah Clans
Once the single largest District in Liberia, Kolahun has now been divided into separate and distinct administrative districts, a move, political observers say has already diminished the political relevance of the Gbandi people as opposed to when they had the largest District.
In a nutshell, the Gbandi people now have three districts namely, Kolahun, Wanhasa and Lukambeh Districts. The separation as far as the writings on the wall indicate has brought some level of displeasure among the citizens.
Example, Kolahun District feels it has been betrayed-while the newly created districts feel they were marginalized by Kolahun for which they sought independent.
Political analysts say not only that the people of Kolahun feel betrayed, but they also feel undignified, disrespected and embarrassed about the way their leaders were treated by the Program Committee during presentation of Act establishing Lukambeh as a district. In situation like this with glaring signs, one does not need a rocket scientist to determine the political repercussion comes 2017, intoned a friend in a friendly conversation with me.
It is indeed obvious that bad blood generated from the creation of the two new districts will be transferred to the 2017 general and Presidential elections-a consequence political analysts predict will be deadly if care is not taken.
Observers believe that Tahamba clan which happens to be an influential member of Kolahun District will work to ensure that it pays back what they term as evil meted out against them by citizens of Lukambeh District.
On the other hand, observers say it is obvious that Hembah clan which also happens to be an influential member of Lukambeh District will use 2017 to penalize perceived political opponents from the Tahamba clan.
Against this background and whatever the case maybe, critical minds believe that there would be some sort of political calamities from both end-and only the strong shall survive.
Wanwoma versus Hassala Clans
Like Lukasu and Hembah, both Wanwoma and Hassala clans combined to form the new district called Wanhasa. Although the mission to create the new district has been achieved, but there seems to be some level of disenchantments among stakeholders from the two clans as demonstrated by the absent of key Hassala towns during program marking the official presentation of Act creating their long yearned for district.
It is an open secret that Hassala feel betrayed despite their failure to provide space for district headquarter when the ball was thrown in their coat by Wanwoma.
Observers are certain that not only that the people of Hassala feel betrayed, but they also feel that they were belittled when all of the sudden they realized that the initial proposed name for the new district has been changed from Hasawoma to Wanhasa without an appreciable consultation.
Judging from past political history of the Gbandi tribe, critical minds believe that it is only the mercy of God that those perceived to have committed the above crimes will go scot-free. Bu the signs and symptoms on the wall indicate that, political bullets await they and their core collaborators if everything remains constant until 2017.
Paul M. Kanneh, Contributing Writer
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