MONROVIA – Varney Anasters Teah, alias ‘Strong Gbana Pekin’, a Canada-based supporter of the ruling Unity Party, has challenged what he described as ‘inconsistencies’ in the Rescue Mission government’s anti-corruption agenda, arguing that the administration has failed to maintain the same level of scrutiny toward some individuals it previously criticized while in opposition.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
Teah said many supporters dedicated their time, resources and political energy to campaign for the Unity Party because they believed it would establish a government that would pursue corruption cases without regard to political affiliation.
According to him, those expectations are now being tested by developments he believes have created the impression that political considerations are influencing public accountability.
Teah reflected on the opposition campaign leading up to the Unity Party’s rise to power in 2023, recalling that several officials associated with the former Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government were repeatedly accused of corruption during political rallies and campaign events.
He argued that supporters were convinced that once the Unity Party formed the government, those allegations would be pursued through the country’s justice system. “We campaigned on corruption because we wanted Liberians to believe that no one would be protected after we assumed power,” Teah asserted, adding that many supporters expected investigations to proceed regardless of an individual’s political connections.
Teah further reflected on the sacrifices made by Unity Party supporters during the 2023 elections, recalling that many volunteers traveled across communities, contributed personal funds, organized campaign activities and endured difficult conditions because they believed they were helping usher in a government that would break from past governance practices.
“Thousands of us walked through flooded streets, spent our own money and defended the Rescue Mission because we genuinely believed we were fighting for a different Liberia,” he stated. “That is why supporters are now asking legitimate questions about whether the promises we defended are still guiding this administration.”
Using former Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah as one of his examples, Teah said the lawmaker was once portrayed by the opposition as a symbol of alleged corruption and was frequently criticized during campaign activities. However, he argued that the tone surrounding Fallah has since changed following the Unity Party’s electoral victory.
“We spent years telling the Liberian people that those we accused of corruption would face justice, but today the same people appear to have become acceptable because of changing political relationships,” Teah said, maintaining that such developments have left many supporters confused about the government’s commitment to its campaign message.
The Unity Party supporter also cited the case of Finda Bundoo, former Chief of Protocol to ex-President George Weah, noting that she had previously faced corruption-related allegations.
According to Teah, the political conversation surrounding her has shifted in recent days because of what he believes is her ‘favourable posture’ toward the current administration.
“If someone’s public image can change simply because they now speak positively about the government, then people will naturally begin questioning whether our anti-corruption fight is based on principle or political convenience,” he argued.
Beyond the individuals he mentioned, Teah said the government has had several opportunities to reinforce public confidence in its promise to fight corruption. He argued that many supporters expected investigations into allegations involving former public officials to continue irrespective of changes in political alliances.
Likewise, he said allegations involving current government officials should also be handled transparently and impartially, while public institutions responsible for combating corruption should be allowed to operate independently and free from political influence.
In his view, consistently applying the law to political allies and opponents alike would have strengthened public confidence in the administration’s commitment to accountability.
According to Teah, the government also had an opportunity to demonstrate that campaign promises were more than political slogans by ensuring that corruption allegations were addressed through transparent legal processes rather than shifting public narratives. He contended that supporters anticipated visible reforms, stronger institutional accountability, timely investigations where warranted, and equal application of justice.
“We promised Liberians that corruption would be confronted without fear or favor, and many of us still believe that should remain the standard regardless of who is involved,” he said.
While emphasizing that he remains supportive of the Unity Party, Teah said loyalty should never prevent party members from demanding accountability from leaders they helped elect. He warned that continued public perception of selective accountability could weaken confidence among grassroots supporters who expected meaningful reforms after the 2023 elections.
“Supporting a government does not mean remaining silent when concerns arise,” he added. “If we fail to ask these difficult questions today, we risk disappointing the very Liberians who entrusted us with the responsibility to lead differently.
