Monrovia – Very credible sources have confided in FrontPageAfrica that the Tuesday, July 30th Facebook post made by Mr. Boima J. V. Boima, Deputy Director General for Rural Broadcasting at the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), against President George Manneh Weah has landed him in ‘slow trouble’ with the President.
Report by Alaskai Moore Johnson, [email protected] & Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
According to our sources from within the LBS and close aids to the Chief Executive, the President allegedly ordered ‘JV’s seniors not to directly relate to him again and to also instruct every rural reporter, who sends their reports directly to ‘JV’, as Boima is affectionately called by his peers in the media circle, not to send him reports again until otherwise ordered.
When this newspaper contacted JV, he said he hadn’t been informed about such decision from the President, who appointed him. Nevertheless, he could neither confirm nor deny whether such mandate has been passed against him.
However, JV has not been removed from his post. He is still in the position as of press time; but it seems he is not enjoying the benefits of said prestigious post if his post on Facebook is anything to go by.
The LBS’ Deputy Director General’s post was made in the wake of the Montserrado County by-election, which was held on Monday, July 29.
According to JV, the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is losing grip on its perceived stronghold of Montserrado County because the government is not living up to the promises made to its supporters.
The Senatorial and Representative by-elections were held to find replacements for the late Senator Geraldine Doe Sherriff, who died after a protracted illness and Representative Adolph Lawrence (Montserrado District #15), who met his untimely demise in a tragic car accident along the Roberts International Airport (RIA) highway.
Although the National Elections Commission (NEC) is yet to begin announcing preliminary results, both CDC and the four opposition collaborating parties are claiming victory for their candidates.
The CDC candidates include Paulita C. C. Wie (Senatorial) and Abu Kamara (Representative), while the opposition collaborating parties’ candidates are Abraham Darius Dillon (Senatorial) and Telia Urey (Representative).
CDC has over the years boasted that Montserrado is its stronghold and results from previous elections have somehow proved the party’s claims.
The party has won Montserrado in most of Liberia’s post-war elections.
However, taking to his Facebook page barely 24 hours after the July 29th by-elections, JV declared that although his party might likely win the two legislative seats that are up for grasps, the overwhelming support to the opposition senatorial candidate, Dillon, is a clear testament that the party’s supporters are not happy with the government because it is not seeking their welfare.
JV wrote: “To admit, I didn’t sleep last night. I struggled between sleep and wake all through last night. I was on the streets talking to people and compiling results to know whether we won the elections. Indeed the results are not what we all opted for. I, for instance wanted a result that could have given us a commanding victory. Not a slim margin. Yes, we must not be struggling to win here in this county. This is where our party started winning polls. This is where the revolution that ushered the people’s struggle was signed and sealed. I am still convinced that our two candidates would win. But to be frank, we should not be struggling for a victory in this county at this early stage of our Presidency. We came to power on a populist ideology. We made so many promises to our people that we have not lived to fulfil up till now. Majority of our people who struggled with us in the slums are yet to be given better jobs or even empowered by their own government to start a better life.”
He further claimed that his party is deserting its supporters and the by-election votes against the party were an internal revolt and a message to the President to look down on his supporters.
“Yes, this was a revolution; our people did not struggle to become beggars. The results seen out there is as a result of an internal revolt. Majority of our once zealots supporters have gone sour. They are not happy at all. They are not happy with us, Mr. President. Majority of those who voted for Dillon are our own very CDCians. Some didn’t even turn up to vote. Those who chose or opted to went against us. Their message is clear; look into our direction now too.”
No Fear of Losing Job
Writing further, JV noted that although his statement might cost him his job, he was not worried as it is better to speak out now than to pretend and leave [live] with “negative consequences.”
Addressing President Weah directly, he wrote: “I know people would advise you to dismiss me. I will not die. I didn’t die yesterday. I wouldn’t die today. Mr. President you have the power to do so. But it’s better I say this now than pretend and leave [live] with a negative consequences for ever.”
JV’s full comment can be found here.
However, some of JV’s critics said the LBS’ Dep. Dir. Gen. wasn’t sincere in his post about the other people’s welfare he claimed to be advocating for and that it is about himself. He had posted on Facebook, too, on Monday, July 29: “God sent Gbekugbeh to redeem us. We shall forever remain grateful…”