Monrovia – Visible cracks are reemerging within Liberia’s ruling coalition government, just days before a planned protest dubbed Save-the-State set for Friday, June 7.
“The National Patriotic Party, a constituent member of the Coalition for Democratic Change, is troubled by rumors circulating in the public domain. These rumors, alleged that the President of the Republic of Liberia intimated to International Partners that the Standard Bearer of the NPP and Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor is the mastermind and financier of the planned June 7th protest with an aim of undermining this Government. “
Mr. John D. Gray, Acting Chairman, National Patriotic Party
It all started last Friday when Senator Sando B. Johnson(NPP, Bomi) made a startling revelation on the Henry Costa Morning Show during which he revealed that President George Manneh Weah had told a visiting delegation headed by the head of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Jean Claude Kass Brou that his vice president Jewel Howard Taylor was personally involved in the organization and providing funding for the protest.
Members of the Council of Patriots also raised the issue with the ECOWAS Commission chair.
Senator Johnson, according to a source in the meeting, indirectly told the meeting with the visiting ECOWAS delegation that the vice president was not part of the organization of the protest. “We are man enough and are organizing the protest on our own. So, if the president wants to destroy his VP, he can do that without implicating the COP. We are not controlled by any external force as it is being rumored. So, yes it was raised,” the source said.
In a statement Sunday, signed by its acting Chair John D. Gray, the NPP, one of three political parties in the ruling coalition said it is troubled by the reports.
Below is the full text of the NPP statement
Over the past few days, certain national events have caused the Leadership and membership of the National Patriotic Party to become seriously concerned about unfolding events. For which we have decided to hold this press briefing, in order to provide clarity about serious Nation security matters which must not be ignored.
The National Patriotic Party, a constituent member of the Coalition for Democratic Change, is troubled by rumors circulating in the public domain. These rumors, alleged that the President of the Republic of Liberia intimated to International Partners that the Standard Bearer of the NPP and Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor is the mastermind and financier of the planned June 7th protest with an aim of undermining this Government.
Fellow Citizens, distinguish members of the Press, the National Patriotic Party wishes to inform the international and local audience that the allegations are false, misleading, diabolical, and has no iota of truth. The NPP as a constituent member of the Government has and continues to be a peaceful and law abiding political party.
The NPP and it’s Standard Bearer and Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, wishes to reassure the Liberian people and the international community of their commitment to the peace and stability of the Republic of Liberia; and of their unwavering resolve to remain a law abiding organization. It is our prayer during these difficult times, that all Liberians should be reminded that Liberia is our common patrimony and each of us must work to uphold the laws of Liberia and maintain the peace.
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