Monrovia – Amidst the wave of economic hardship sparking condemnations from the public against the leadership of President George Weah’s government, Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe has taken a jibe at critics.
Report by J. W. Webster Clayeh, [email protected]
He says anyone wanting to see President Weah out of office should wait until 2023, at which time they will have a chance to elect a new leader.
Speaking at a regular press briefing Thursday, September 12, Minister Nagbe said the President is aware of the prevailing economic situation and is poised to changing it.
“We have a contract for six years [and] if you want to change that contract you got to do it democratically,” Minister Nagbe said.
“Yes, there is an economic issue in the country that we have to fix. People are not taking pay on time. The President is aware of that.”
According to Minister Nagbe, investors want to come in the country but that the constant condemnations from Liberians on social media are something that is scaring them away.
“You think food will not be in the President’s house? No! The only thing for you to do is for you to not vote for him again,” he said.
Nagbe Urge Gender Minister to Sue Verdier
Meanwhile, Minister Nagbe has called on the Minister of Gender Williametta E. Saydee Tarr to issue a lawsuit against the former chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Cllr. Jerome Verdier for terming some members of the ruling party including her as gangsters.
The Minister statement comes in the wake of a letter posted on the social media in which Cllr. Verdier termed members of the ruling CDC as gangsters.
In another interaction with Liberian journalists in US, Cllr. Verdier said:
“Now, violence and gangster-style killings have taken on a national fervor, law and order is rapidly breaking down and a state of anarchy and lawlessness is brewing in Liberia and the Weah Government has yet remains silent, spurring widespread suspicions that the President, is without doubt, behind the violence by his CDC’s goons to intimidate and coerce the opposition into submission and clamp down dissent as part of his political ambition to become a dictator in power for 27 years or more, surpassing President William V.S. Tubman.”
But according to MICAT boss, the former TRC chair has a history with President Weah and the Congress for Democratic Change leadership dating far back during the origin of the party.
Nagbe added: “He is a signature to the CDC document that was presented to the National Election Commission.”
The MICAT boss explained that in one of CDC’s meetings, Cllr. Verdier opted to be the standard bearer and George Weah be the Vice standard bearer, but his requested was rejected by Madam Tarr and others at the time rejected.
“So, she is a gangster to him now. I encourage her to take him to court. Oppose the government because we are in a democracy. Don’t call the President and his officials gangsters; criticize his policy,” Minister Nagbe says.
“There are some people when they are not in power; the country is a gangster country.
“Liberia is not a gangster paradise. If it was that, we would have dragged you (Cllr Verdier) by night.”
Despite being the head of TRC Cllr. Verdier had been in the area of advocacy but the Infomation Minister termed his as a “fly by night advocate”.