Ganta, Nimba – Two elite members of the “Save the State” protest organizers, being organized by the “Council of Patriots,” have maintained that the protest will go ahead as planned on June 7, 2019.
Report by Selma Lomax, [email protected]
Representative Yekeh Kolubah (Independent, District 10, Montserrado County) and the chairman of the former ruling Unity Party, Wilmot Paye, in separate statements both men vowed that no amount of negotiations by the ruling Coalition of Democratic Change will avert their plans.
Representative Kolubah and Paye spoke at the start of the third national convention of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) ongoing in Gompa (Ganta), Nimba County.
Paye said the convention of the ANC comes at the time when the hardship in the country is increasing rapidly.
He said there is a leadership deficit in Liberia affecting all sectors. “There is a leadership deficit with the Presidency, Judiciary, both the Senate and the House of Representatives,” he said.
“When I say deficit, I don’t mean titles. Leaders who know what to do will not focus on insignificant things that don’t impact the country,” Paye continued.
Paye further stated that the June 7 protest is intended to send a strong message to President George Weah to do what he promised in his inaugural speech. “We are coming together not to win trophies or to satisfy our ambitions but to ensure that President Weah does the right things he promised us,” Paye stressed.
The UP Chairman said it was important Liberians come together and support the protest to liberate the country. “If we don’t stand up in unison, Liberia will be doomed further. Yes, we don’t have violence in Liberia, but what we have now is more than violence. The June 7 protest is a must.”
For Representative Kolubah, who has embarked on a nationwide tour trumpeting the essence of the protest, President Weah has not done much to improve the lives of Liberians since taking the mantle of leadership.
The Montserrado County District #10 representative described as a “self-seeking” person who has amassed properties worth millions of dollars in less than two years.
“When President Weah was playing football, he didn’t achieve what he has achieved as President since he took over. This country doesn’t belong to President Weah,” he said.
He promised that the June 7 protest will be void of violence and called on Liberians to join the call to “Save the State.”
Meanwhile, Nimba County District Seven Representative Roger Domah has rated President Weah’s first year in office as dismal, and advised him to build a better country and help “suffering Liberians.”
Rep. Domah maintained that only those around the President are enjoying the country’s resources while the masses continue to the feel the pinch of the harsh economic reality. “Nathaniel McGill’s life has improved, Samuel Tweah’s is living in luxury while the poor people continue to suffer,” Rep. Domah said.
“Liberia belongs to everyone not a few group of people who think the country belongs to them because they are in power today,” he added.
Rep. Domah took advantage of his presence at the third national convention of the opposition ANC underway in Gompa, Nimba County to voice his frustration at the President’s leadership.
“What I am saying here today is done in the spirit of utmost respect and affinity by one who wants the best for this government and for Liberia,” he added.
Continuing, he said: “I am saying these things to encourage the government to achieve what this government is capable of.”
“Too many parents can’t properly feed and clothe their children. Too many young people exist in the void of joblessness.”