Gbarnga – Supporters of former Bong County senatorial candidate, Edward Karfiah, have expressed their deep disappointment over his recent reconciliation with Senator Prince Moye, and some have vowed not to support his potential 2029 senatorial campaign.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
The controversy stems from a photo posted on Facebook showing Karfiah and Moye together at Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s 47th birthday celebration in Paynesville, where the two appeared to have reconciled their differences.
Karfiah and Moye, who have known each other since their days at Tubman Gray High School in Gbarnga in the early 1990s, had reportedly been at odds during the 2023 senatorial election.
Moye’s support for Johnny Kpehe, who won the election, caused a rift between the two, with Karfiah’s supporters accusing Moye of playing a pivotal role in his defeat. The discord escalated to physical confrontations between their supporters at one point, despite Moye not being a candidate in the election.
However, on Monday, when Karfiah and Moye were seen enjoying each other’s company at the birthday celebration, many of Karfiah’s supporters felt betrayed, especially since Karfiah did not inform them of the reconciliation beforehand.
One prominent figure expressing his frustration is Jonah Tokpah, a former District 4 representative candidate. Tokpah campaigned aggressively against Kpehe, largely due to Moye’s support for Kpehe, and distanced himself from Moye as a result.
Tokpah has faced a controversial recall from his position as County Health Services Administrator of Grand Cape Mount County, which he believes was politically motivated because of his support for Karfiah.
Although Moye denied involvement in the recall, Tokpah remains convinced it was part of a strategy to target him.
In an interview with FrontPage Africa, Tokpah expressed his frustration, saying, “What’s the essence of fighting for someone when the person isn’t willing to do the same for you? I supported Karfiah with all my might and soul just to ensure he won the senatorial election. I ended my relationship with Moye because of him. And today he’s dining and winning with the same man we went against?”
Tokpah’s political group, Friends of Tokpah, which supported him in the 2023 elections, also voiced its displeasure with Karfiah’s decision. Jackson David, the chairman of the group, said they would urge Tokpah to make a strong political decision against Karfiah for reconciling with Moye without consulting them.
Another former supporter, James Martor, voiced similar disillusionment. “Where are our fates? We abused someone for his sake, and now the person we abused has reconciled with him. What message will he give us if he decides to contest in 2029?” Martor questioned. “As of today, I’m done with supporting Karfiah —whether for a twin chief job or representative job.”
Joshua Jackson, a resident of Kokoyah and supporter of Karfiah, described the reconciliation as a lesson in political loyalty.
Regretting his past harsh words against Moye, he pledged to apologize publicly. “I want to openly apologize to Senator Moye for using foul words against him just to deface you at the expense of a man I thought was truthful to us. I vow it will never happen again,” Jackson said, noting he would use his personal Facebook page to apologize.
