Monrovia – The Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) has condemned an April fool story carried on Truth FM 96.1 on April 1.
In its early morning news presentation, the station reported that former Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) Governot Mills Jones formally announced his constitutional desire to not contest in the 2017 general and Presidential elections.
Quoting Jones, the station also reported that MOVEE was asked to begin discussion with Vice President Joseph Boakai about a possible merger. But addressing a news conference on April 1, MOVEE Chairman Dee Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. said the report was an irresponsible joke.
“This is a clever attempt, we believe as a party, on the part of detractors. We think this is scare tactics. Dr. Jones is currently in the United States of America where he is having a rest following 10 years of invaluable services to this nation.
“Services for which the Liberian people, through or under the auspices of the Grand Coalition of Liberian Organizations (Grandcoalio) bestowed on him honors, flowers and showers of praises at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium on Saturday, February 13, 2016. An honoring ceremony, which remains unprecedented in the history of our country, also took place in recognition of his services,” said Kemayah.
He warned Jones’ detractors to be prepared and stopped using April fool to play with the lives of more than 3.5 million Liberians.
Kemayah, who is also President of the Liberian Business Association (LIBA), said Liberians, (especially the professional working class), should now begin to think about concrete programs and policies to redeem Liberia from its state of despair.
“If you are patriotic or a true nationalist, you will not play such a joke. Even April fools got limit. We’ve received thousands of phone calls from across the country and from foreign lands, including but not limited to Europe, America, Asia and the rest of the world even the Middle East where well-wishers, sympathizers, admirers and believers in Dr. Jones resides expressing concerns.
“And as I listened and held conversation with some of the callers, the devastation in the voices could be sensed. Even if I wasn’t the national Chairman of the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), I will never be like Peter to deny that I do have a formidable and an enviable relationship with Dr. J. Mills Jones. I would have still held this press conference as a friend of Dr. Jones to clarify and speak on the issue.
“This is not only laughable but it is a clear indication that the man in question — Dr. J. Mills Jones — continues to be seen by the Liberian people as a man of hope for their future.
And I want to reassured all of our thousands of callers, who called me and other partisans, friends and family members of Dr. J. Mills Jones that their hope will not be dashed away,” said Kemayah, who were flanked by Executive Committee Members and Chairpersons of the 15 counties.
Kemayah was elected at a national convention in Gbarnga, Bong County from March 22-23 along with William Montgomery, National Vice Chairman for Administration; Samuel F. McGill, National Vice Chairman for Mobilization, recruitment and membership; Nematu Kamara Richardson, National Vice Chairperson for Resource Mobilization and Investment and Robert Sammie, National Vice Chairman for Communications and Media Relations.
Others elected were Richard S. Panton, National Secretary General; James S. Roberts, Assistant National Secretary General for Administration; Goodrich S. Cheayan, Assistant National Secretary General for Mobilization, Recruitment and membership and Joetta Johnson, Assistant National Secretary General for Auxiliary and Gender and Calvin S. Jallah, Assistant National Secretary General for Records and Documentation
The rest were J. Guankenkerwon Gweusah, Assistant National Secretary General for Finance; J. Marvin Cole, Assistant National Secretary General for Communications and Media relations; Saye J. Biyie, Treasurer; Albert S. Martin, National Chaplain; Samuel T. Brooks, Assistant National Chaplain; Rosetta G. Jones, National Women League Chairlady; Sampson Kamayan, National Youth League Chairman and Albert G. Zorgbe, Assistant National Youth league Chairman for Membership and Mobilization.
