Monrovia – Leader of the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC) Simeon Freeman Monday returned to Liberia nine months after exiling himself – accusing the government of holding as enemies, people who criticize its actions.
Report by Edwin G. Genoway, Jr – [email protected]
“I am not an enemy of the state as it is being displayed by this government. Those who steal millions of dollars and the Presidents protect them are the enemy of the state, not us who talk about the ills in society” – Simeon Freeman
Freeman fled the Liberia nine months ago after being declared wanted by government for making statement which was considered threat to national security.
Upon the shocking death of former Managing Director of Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LRPC) Harry Greaves whose remains was found on a local beach in Monrovia in January this year, Freeman in a press conference said he had received information that the government had a list of politicians in the opposition bloc to be executed by special hired men.
According to Freeman, the government of Liberia was only trying to put him against the people of Liberia by describing him as enemy of the state.
“I am not an enemy of the state as it is being displayed by this government. Those who steal millions of dollars and the Presidents protect them are the enemy of the state, not us who talk about the ills in society,” he said.
Speaking upon his arrival at the Roberts International Airport Monday, December 05, 2016, Freeman said Liberia has assumed a whole new dimension and he is tough on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government because Liberians were still living in abject poverty and those who speak against the government are seen as enemies and are ran after.
“Those of us who are there to caution the government as people who are in the interest of the people of Liberia and we are there to remind the government of its obligations but we are the one’s being classified as enemies of the state,” Freeman averred.
Freeman: “When the government’s agency NOCAL went down, the President took responsibility and this means that you are shielding criminals and those of us who see these things and bring it to the attention of the state are seen as the greatest enemies to the state which is undermining the development of the country.”
He called on old politicians to give way to the new politicians who have not been in power to take over and transform the country.
“Come 2017, you people will be able to look at the politics in the country and let these old politicians get out of the process in order for Liberia to assume a new dimension,” he said.
Freeman called on Liberians to make a decision 2017 that will benefit the Liberian people, saying the time has come for Liberians to give power to people like him who has the country at heart.
The MPC leader said he is now more prepared than ever to speak for the people, noting that the greatest threat to national security is not those who speak against those who try to create poverty for the people.
He noted that his escape afforded him the opportunity to meet great business people in the world including US President-elect Donald Trump – before he Trump was elected as President.