
Monrovia – The National Patriotic Party (NPP) continues to be plagued by internal conflict, which political analysts say is diminishing its influence. The NPP is divided over the prosecution of several officials from the Weah-Taylor administration for corruption.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Less than 24 hours after NPP National Chairman George Mulbah declared support for prosecuting top officials of the Weah-Taylor administration, former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor distanced herself and the party from the endorsement.
Chairman Mulbah, speaking at the party’s national headquarters on Tuesday, endorsed the Unity Party-led government’s prosecution of former officials from ex-President George Weah’s administration accused of corruption. However, he called for a holistic and non-selective process.
“Those involved in alleged corruption must be prosecuted holistically and not selectively. If an individual from the past government or any other role is involved in corruption, they must also be brought to book. Shielding some while prosecuting others for the same crime suggests nepotism and could lead to revolt,” said Chairman Mulbah.
On Monday, several senior officials of the Weah-Taylor administration were indicted, including ex-Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, former National Security Advisor Jefferson Karmoh, former Solicitor General Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, former Comptroller of the Financial Intelligence Unit (now FIA) D. Moses P. Cooper, and former Director General of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) Stanley Ford. Cllr. Tuan, Karmoh, and Cooper were imprisoned after failing to present a criminal appearance bond, as they could not afford the amount required for economic sabotage.
I have read with shock and dismay Mr. George Mulbah’s press conference in which he intimated that the NPP leadership authorized him to speak on behalf of our party, that the NPP supports the persecution of former Weah Government Officials. As the Standard Bearer of the NPP, let me be unequivocally clear that Mr. Mulbah’s statement is his personal opinion, and the NPP as an institution has given him no such mandate to make such a statement.
Jewel Howard Taylor
Addressing the press, NPP Chairman Atty. George Mulbah, whose party was a constituent member of the Coalition for Democratic Change, said the procedure initiated by the Boakai-Koung administration to address alleged corruption would bolster governance accountability but must not be done selectively.
However, former VP Taylor countered Mulbah, stating he was not authorized by the national executive committee to speak on behalf of the NPP.
“I have read with shock and dismay Mr. George Mulbah’s press conference in which he intimated that the NPP leadership authorized him to speak on behalf of our party, that the NPP supports the prosecution of former Weah government officials,” said Taylor.
“As the Standard Bearer of the NPP, let me be unequivocally clear that Mr. Mulbah’s statement is his personal opinion, and the NPP as an institution has given him no such mandate to make such a statement.”
Taylor expressed shock and dismay at Mulbah’s assertions, clarifying that his statements do not reflect the official position of the NPP. She pointed out the irony of Mulbah’s comments, given his tenure as acting head of the Liberian Airport Authority, which is now under audit for alleged impropriety and misuse of office by Mulbah.
“My advice is that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones,” Taylor remarked, highlighting the ongoing audits of the Liberian Airport Authority and the scrutiny surrounding Mulbah’s role.
The latest episode within the NPP mirrors the internal wrangling that has long plagued the party. During her tenure as Vice President, Taylor faced stiff opposition from then Chairman James P. Biney, leading to a split within the party. Biney’s supporters backed the Unity Party, while Taylor, as vice standard bearer, aligned with the Coalition for Democratic Change.