Monrovia-Early objections of missteps in the Joseph Nyuma Boakai administration by opposition political parties are gradually trickling, as the Liberia People Democratic Party has raised alarm over what it calls, “misruled” by the current regime.
By Willie N. Tokpah/0777039231
The LPDP, in a press conference on Wednesday, August 7, at “early missteps” of the government, noted that the action by the government is creating tension and division in the country.
“The LPDP has observed that the country is still under tension and widely divided on political lines, which makes reconciliation a national imperative.
No nation can continue without reconciliation,” the LPDP Acting Chairman Hne feared during a press conference in Congo Town.
As such, Mr. Hen noted that the party wants President Boakai to immediately organize a national reconciliation conference to include political parties, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to derive a means of unifying the nation and its people.
This criticism follows other criticisms from the opposition community.
The Coalition for Democratic Change has since condemned the government on a series of counts including “illegal dismissals,” and intimidation by security forces, thus forcing its political leader, George Manneh Weah to regret turning power over to the Unity Party-led government.
Besides the CDC, the Liberia People’s Party of Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe continues to hold the current administration’s feet for failure to adhere to key promises made.
Cllr. Gongloe has been firm on the fight against corruption, despite efforts by the current administration to combat corruption.
Likewise, the LPDP has come out as the newest to join the opposition parties, over skepticism of the regime’s ability to proceed rightly.
The party’s Acting Chairman during the press conference, took a back at the “illegal removal of people from tenure positions against the Supreme Court’s ruling, nonadherence Law and Public Procurement Concessions regulations, as well as instances of unprofessional conduct of key state actors including that of the Liberia National Police which he said has resulted in death in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County, and the deployment of officers in the premises of the CDC.
These actions by the government, Hne noted, served as factors that continue to impede the rule of law and provocation of tension, under the Boakai administration.
He described as “troubling and provocative” the response of Executive Protective Service (EPS) Director Sam Gaye, to a situation of the mass dismissal of EPS officers and the issue relative to the personal security detail of former President Weah.
“Again, the LPDP has keenly observed that though the Unity Party maintains the “Rule of Law” as a key component of its ARREST Agenda, which promises to be the official development roadmap of the government, it has in some instances committed some missteps in adherence to the Rule of Law,” Hne stated.
He is also concerned about “non-adherence to Procurement Laws and Public Procurement Concessions Commission (PPCC) Regulations” by the Boakai’s leadership.
As such, LPDP has admonished President Boakai, to respect the laws of the land and keep his security apparatuses in check in the governing process.
“Having carefully analyzed the trends of political events, actions, and policies of the ruling Unity Party for the past six (6) months, the LPDP wishes to break the silence on several issues that are adversely affecting the nation and the Liberian people today.
Let it not be forgotten that the Unity Party Alliance in the 2023 Elections campaigned on the mantra of Reconciliation, Unity, the Rule of Law, Integrity, Accountability, Transparency, and Inclusiveness in the governance of the nation. On its campaign sprees, was never witnessed by the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Government for its failure to unite Liberians and ensure accountability, transparency, integrity in government, and the rule of law amongst other vices,” the LPDP Acting Chairman noted.
“Even in his post-victory statements and Inaugural Speech, President Joseph Boakai rekindled the hope of Liberians by reemphasizing his commitment to reconciliation, unity, rule of law, trpreparecy, and integrity as well as structuring his government not on partisan lines, tribalism, or business as usual, but purely based on merit and in the spirit implores.”
Despite being critical of the administration’s errors, the LPDP on the other hand noted that the Unity Party, under the stewardship of Amb. Boakai has made some gains in governing the state in areas such as instituting audits and creating a platform for public officials to account for their stewardship.
LPDP noted that this move was never witnessed during the George Weah administration, since they failed to muster the courage to do so.
However, Hne is admonishing the government not to be selective in said process.
“While we welcome the issue of accountability, the LPDP wishes to encourage President Boakai to make the process holistic and not selective,” Hne maintained.
As such, the LPDP through its Acting Chairman, has advised its members who served the Weah’s administration, to prepare themselves to cooperate with the law when called upon to answer to allegations of corruption during their tenures in office.
By this token, the party also implores other political institutions, including the CDC to follow suit.
Meanwhile, the LPDP calls on President Boakai to play the role of a statesman in maintaining peace and stability in the country.
