MONROVIA – Anthony Quiwonkpa, a former candidate for the representative seat in Nimba District #3, has vehemently refuted allegations linking him to orchestrating violence resulting in injuries among several individuals in Nimba.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
The son of the late General Thomas Quiwonkpa, Anthony Quiwonkpa previously served as deputy minister of state without portfolio in the Weah administration before his unsuccessful candidacy on the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) ticket in Nimba District #3. He actively campaigned for President Weah during the runoff election in the county.
A violent clash erupted on Friday, November 10, just days before the November 14 presidential runoff election, between supporters of the CDC led by Quiwonkpa and the Unity Party Alliance led by Senators Prince Johnson and Jeremiah Koung, now Vice President-elect, in Zor-Zoalay, Quiwonkpa’s hometown. The clash left at least 12 people injured and hospitalized, with several arrests made, individuals who are presently in police custody.
Following the incident, Senator Johnson and president-elect Koung squarely pointed fingers at Quiwonkpah for instigating the violence. However, Quiwonkpa has categorically denied these accusations. According to him, the CDC had a pre-planned program scheduled for that day in the town. Upon learning of Senators Johnson and Koung’s plan to campaign in the same location, Quiwonkpa claims he approached the Town Chief to clarify the situation, and Senator Johnson later agreed to postpone their program to another date.
He displayed several text messages he said were exchanged between him and Senator Johnson agreeing on one term – that the Unity Party Alliance will not hold its program on the date.
In an unexpected turn, Quiwonkpa asserts that despite this understanding, the UP Alliance proceeded with their program, leading to a confrontation. Quiwonkpa alleges that he was assaulted by some of Senator Johnson and Koung’s suporters when he inquired about the breach of the agreed-upon arrangement, prompting his the MDR/UP Alliance’s supporters to manhandle him.
Describing the events, Quiwonkpa stated, “As we gathered for our program in Zualay, the MDR/UP people entered Zualay and began looking for me… Upon seeing me, they demanded that I give my support to the UP or risk arrest. When I refused, they attempted to arrest me, resulting in an assault.”
He continued, “This led to my supporters intervening to prevent my arrest… We were subjected to pepper spray, teargas, and physical assault by security personnel associated with Senators Johnson and Koung. I even sustained an injury on my finger.”
He blamed the alleged violence meted against him to his refusal to pledge support to Boakai and Koung, he said on several occasions, Senator Johnson asked him to support the MDR/Unity Party but he refused. He said he is still being taunted and provoked by the MDR/UP supporters. He showed FPA several text messages from supporters of the MDR/UP threatening to kill him if goes back to Nimba. He said despite the intimidation, he remains unwavering in his support to President Weah.
Open to reconciliation
Quiwonkpa said although the election brought a serious rift among people of the county, he is opened to reconciliation. In that spirit, he disclosed that he has sent a congratulatory message to Vice President-elect Senator Jeremiah Koung and will follow-up with a call. He said the elections are over now, and it is now time to unite and live together in harmony.
“Nobody should be humiliated, disgraced in his home town or anywhere because of his political views. It’s unfortunate as to what happen. But as Christian, I hold no malice against anybody. As I said these things happened prior to the election and I felt it was important that I gave my side of the story. Prior to today, my side of the story has been given in bit and pieces. I am a Liberian, I don’t feel happy that other Nimbaians will be calling my phone and abusing my mother. If I can do it again, I will choose President Weah. Because I feel that President Weah is the best persons. And I hold no apology for that.”
He continued: “If anybody knows me, they will know that Anthony Quiwonkpa is a man of peace. I hold no grudge. For those of my brothers who decided to brutalize me, my arms are open. You need to stop the negative propaganda about my repetition, you know that I did nothing wrong.”