Monrovia – The way aides to Dr. J. Mills Jones put it, Mr. Clayton Duncan came highly recommended – from a very close and long-time friend, Dr. Dew Tuan-Wleh Mayson, that catapulted into the burgeoning of a rags to somewhat better off story that has now degenerated in a trading of barbs bordering charges and counter charges of ingratitude from both sides: Aides to Governor Jones and Duncan and his supporters.
Insiders, Sinoeans give details into what drove aide to former Central Bank of Liberia Governor to the edge
All of us, including Duncan, hold Dr. Jones in the highest esteem and are proud of his achievements and his sterling character. We have advised Duncan that he came to Dr. Jones in peace, and he should leave in peace. And I believe that Duncan will henceforth heed our advice.” – Dr. Dew Tuan-Wleh Mayson
Dr. Mayson, a close relative of Mr. Duncan, when contacted recently lamented that the family was disappointed in the way Mr. Duncan has chosen to part ways with the governor.
“I and the entire family “are and will always remain grateful to Dr. Jones for giving the opportunity to Duncan to serve our country in a relatively high and important position.
All of us, including Duncan, hold Dr. Jones in the highest esteem and are proud of his achievements and his sterling character. We have advised Duncan that he came to Dr. Jones in peace, and he should leave in peace. And I believe that Duncan will henceforth heed our advice.”
But Duncan has so far chosen a different path, threatening to expose much of the governor’s activities at the bank while trumpeting himself as the glue that held the governor’s political quest intact.
“I was never on a ship to jump. I established everything from beginning to end. On my birthday, I told Governor Jones in the presence of his wife that he should consider running for President,”- Duncan told FrontPageAfrica last week.
In the months leading to a season of political discontent in Liberia, Mr. Duncan has already injected an aura of contention that could make or break the governor’s yet-to-be announced Presidential bid, political observers say.
There is one thing I am proud of, Sir. I know that my loyalty and affection for you cannot and will never be questioned. Since my employment with you, I’ve come to appreciate and love your personality, your incredible intellect, your good character and great integrity. In addition, you have been much more than a generous boss to me. Rather, you have been a big brother and a most generous supporter for which I shall remain eternally grateful. Excerpts From a Letter Purportedly Written to former Governor Mills Jones by his former Aide, Clayton Duncan
‘Made a Mistake’
Duncan has not hidden his appetite for a change of political scenery, reiterating to FPA last week what he told the citizens of Sinoe as he declared his support to the candidacy of Vice President Joseph Boakai. Said Mr. Duncan: “I told the people of Sinoe that the last time I came I brought somebody here and introduced them to your but I think I made a mistake…and I think I made a mistake. But I will come back and explain why I think I made that mistake. That is it… that’s what I told them. I will not lie on what I said.”
But now some citizens of the county are coming to Governor Jones’ defense, expressing dismay over Duncan’s recent venom against the former governor.
“We, citizens of Sinoe County residing in Monrovia, have learned with dismay and consternation, the recent attempt to cast aspersion on the good character and unalloyed integrity of our compatriot, Dr. J. Mills Jones, by a Mr. Crayton Duncan”, a statement in possession of FrontPageAfrica reads.
The residents’ note that Duncan returned from the United States a few years ago and following a long period of unemployment, was engaged by the Central Bank.
“Nurtured and tutored by Dr. Jones, Duncan was elevated to the post of Chief of Staff to the Governor and enjoyed the perks and privileges associated with that position. Duncan was and remains a subordinate to Dr. Jones. It seems, however, that Duncan and the likes of him have never been taught the truism that if gratitude is the least of the virtues, INGRATITUDE is the WORST of the VICES.”
A letter purportedly written by Mr. Duncan back in July 2015 appears to validate the Sinoe citizens’ assertions.
The letter, according to sources was written by Duncan to the then governor after an incident that led the governor to side line Mr. Duncan from his inner circle as well as from internal operations at the bank.
Aides to the governor have been coy about what actually led to the point of disintegration that forced the Governor to part ways with his once-trusted aide.
Duncan’s Purported Letter of Contrite
But Duncan, in the July 6, 2015 letter wrote:
My dear Governor, my dear Big Brother:
I cannot tell you how pained I have been over the last week and the half when I was asked not to report to office. I am so deeply sorry about whatever action of mine that has caused your anger and displeasure. I beg for your forgiveness.
Sir, it is true that I have not been your perfect assistant. My youthful exuberance must have caused me to do certain things in ways that may be construed as flamboyant and unnecessarily eye-catching. I am so sorry, dear Brother. As I have pledged to our Big Brothers, I have decided to turn over a new leaf, to be BORN AGAIN, as the Pentecostals say. I assure you, Sir, that complaints about me along these lines will never be heard again.
You will also never hear again of any report of non-cooperation with my colleagues. After all, we are working with the same objective and for the same victory. I am communicating this fact to my colleagues, and I look forward to greater cooperation and closer harmony as we journey together to ultimate victory, in Jesus Name.
There is one thing I am proud of, Sir. I know that my loyalty and affection for you cannot and will never be questioned. Since my employment with you, I have come to appreciate and love your personality, your incredible intellect, your good character and great integrity. In addition, you have been much more than a generous boss to me. Rather, you have been a big brother and a most generous supporter for which I shall remain eternally grateful.
For all these reasons, Sir, I remain your loyal and committed assistant, ready now and always to be at your side, supporting and defending you, and , if need be, prepared to take the bullet for you.
In conclusion, Sir, please accept once again my deepest apologies for my mistakes and mis-steps. They will not be repeated. At the same time, Sir, please be assured of my total loyalty and commitment to you and to our common project.
The timing of Mr. Duncan’s rants is also being dissected by former governor Jones’ supporters. “As the campaign for the Presidency gears up, Dr. Jones may encounter many a so-called critic who, however, constitutes a minuscule and downright inconsequential part of our political calculus. The Dr. and his program for the empowerment of Liberians have already received the gratitude of the vast majority of our people.
His character and his capabilities have brought into the limelight the qualities so lacking in his opponents. That is why the moral Lilliputians in our society are trying–albeit woefully unsuccessfully–to bring Dr. Jones down to their own debased level. History will, of course, expose their plots and machinations. And, indeed, you cannot stop an idea whose time has come.”
But Duncan continues to press on with his attacks but has since soften his stance to say his beef is not with the former governor but with Maxell Kemayah, head of the Liberia Business Association.
No personal Beef with Jones
Duncan appearing on the ELBC Bumper talk show said he has no personal problem with Dr. Jones and cannot say negative things about him, indicating that his relationship with Dr. Jones got sour when Dr. Jones began listening to Maxell Kemayah and one Lela.
“The confusion is not between me and Dr. Jones it is between me Kemayah and Lela who are manipulating Dr. Jones and he is listening to them”, Duncan said.
He says there is no attempt on his part to destroy Dr. Jones. “Cannot destroy Dr. Jones, what do I get out of it? When I destroy him, whom am I going to destroy next?
According to Duncan, Kemayah wants to head every organization he is a part of and that created the problem between him (Duncan) and Dr. Jones.
“Two of them were given the responsibility to form a political party. They did not go to NEC. They were looking for lawyers to help them. I worked and within two months we registered a party and in three months, we were certificated. Because I established this party, and they did not, I became sensing that maybe they thought I wanted to become Chairman of this party”, he further explained.
Duncan said after the party was established, Maxwell wanted to be Chairman and he opposed the idea because according to him Maxwell is not popular.
‘They Do Not Know My Importance’
“After the party was established, he wanted Maxwell to be Chairman of the Party- I told Dr. Clarke, Dr. Sawyer, Dr. Mason, that this man is not competent enough to be a political leader that I have taken Dr. Jones around the country, Maxwell cannot be a good Chairman”, he added.
Furthermore, Duncan said Kemayah as head of the Liberia Business Association was discouraging members after the Central bank provided five million to the organization and when they formed another organization comprising many small businesses Kemayah again wanted to heath both LIBA and the new organization.
“We established Grandcolioco, brought these people together, Maxwell jumped he wanted to be head. One man wants all, he took Maxwell again and made him head of the party. Friends of Jones I formed again, Lela and Maxwell wanted to head it, they grabbed it. Maxwell wants to be leader of all”, Duncan lamented.
Duncan also said his problem with Dr. Jones started when he noticed that his former boss was not grateful to him for all he is doing.
“When we came from Sinoe, my wife was in charge of building Dr. Jones house in Sinoe. My wife used to be out very late night. He never told us Thank you, after that when I pulled the crowd in Sinoe and did the same in Grand Gedeh. I went to him and said why you are not telling me thank you. He said, ooh, Duncan leave it”, the former Chief of Office Staff to Dr. Jones continued.
Duncan also said that Dr. Jones was not grateful to him for the many things he did including arranging for a befitting burial for his mother and taking Dr. Jones around the country, mobilizing people.
“They do not know my importance and they do not know me”, he noted.
Rodney D. Sieh, [email protected]
