PROBING THE PRESIDENT’S ABSENCE

Senator Darius Dillon Writes the Senate to Investigate President George Weah Prolong Stay Away from Liberia to Watch World Cup in Qatar

Monrovia – Senator Abraham Darius Dillon (LP-Montserrado County) has written plenary of the Liberian Senate demanding an investigation into President George Weah’s prolonged stay out of the bailiwick of the Republic of Liberia to attend the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

According to Senator Dillon, President Weah’s request to the Senate that he was extending his trip because the Paris Peace conference has been extended is untrue, arguing that the conference had already ended.

By: Henry Karmo

In a communication to President Pro Temp Albert Chie, the Montserrado County lawmaker said: “With the concerns raised herein, we are left with the question as to how President Weah’s prolonged stay out of the bailiwick of the Republic of Liberia at the 2022 World Cup games in Qatar a “necessity” and beneficial in the best interests of our country and people and at whose expense? We therefore respectfully seek the intervention of Plenary of the Senate to launch a probe into these claims and to take appropriate, necessary actions in the premises.”

It can be recalled that on November 1, 2022, President Weah informed the August body of his planned visit to the State of Qatar from November 15 -23, 2022, to attend the opening of the FIFA World Cup. According to the President’s letter to the Senate, he would attend the 5th Edition of the Paris Peace Forum in Paris from November 9-15, 2022, before traveling to Qatar.

The President however, on November 18, 2022, informed the Senate that he would extend his stay in Qatar by Seven (7) days and depart on the 30th; instead of the 23rd of November.

The President’s letter further stated that the extension became necessary because the Paris Peace Forum was “extended” from November 15, 2022, to November 18, 2022; thereby causing him to arrive in Qatar at least three (3) days behind schedule.

By such justification, President Weah argued that because the “extension” of the Paris Peace Forum caused him to arrive in Qatar at least three (3) days later, he would spend seven (7) days in Qatar to make up for the extra three (3) days he claimed to have spent at the Paris Peace Forum.

Senator Dillon countered that “an official communication from the Paris Peace Forum showed that the Forum was held on the 11th and 12th of November and was NEVER extended as was contained in President Weah’s information to the Senate. “We have the right to be informed as to the official whereabouts of the President during this period,” Senator Dillon noted.

Senator Dillon continued: “Further, Honorable President Pro Tempore and Distinguished Colleagues, may we refer you to Section 27 of Liberia Travel Ordinance (also hereto attached) that requires public officials, who extend their travel or stay time beyond the seven (7) days period on any particular foreign trip, to finance the costs of their extended stay and submit receipts for reimbursement if such extension was determined needful and necessary.”

Presidential advisor, Mr. Eugene Nabge defended the President’s trip on grounds that the President is using the trip to raise money to for developmental projects in Liberia.

Monrovia –  Senator Abraham Darius Dillon (LP-Montserrado County) is cautioning Montserrado Superintendent Florence Brandy, to focus more on managing funds given to the county under the County Development Fund than worrying about who manages projects funded by his salary.

Speaking to FrontPageAfrica at the weekend, the Senator threw pointed jabs at the superintendent in response to recent comments she made, questioning his decision to establish his own county development council outside the county leadership even though funds to that council is from his salary.

At a political rally for the endorsement of Representative Thomas Fallah, the CDC candidate contesting to unseat the incumbent senator, the Superintendent said, the committee that was established by Senator Dillon lacks independence.  “You (Senator Dillon) founded the county council without a member of the Montserrado County being a part of it. Where is that money going? Right back to your pocket,” Superintendent Brandy said.

“I want the superintendent to tell me what they did with the development money for Montserrado County what she and other members of the caucus did with six hundred thousand United States dollars (USD$600,000.00) given by china union for development purposes. Let them account for that money. Why is she behind Thomas Fallah when he is on record for signing for money out of the county development for that goes to his private institution T.Five Institution? This is some of the things that led to the forced resignation of Grace Kpan.”

– Abraham Darius Dillon, Senator, Montserrado County (Liberty Party)

Senator Dillon, following his induction as Montserrado County Senator in 2019, organized what he termed as Montserrado County Development Council which is chaired by Madam Comfort Bedell

In January, Senator Dillon presented a check of US$12,000.00 to the County Development Council for development.

The Senator said: “Florence is on the campaign team of Thomas Fallah in violation of the Code of Conduct. She joined some others to endorse Thomas Fallah at which time she made that loose, reckless and uneducated comments it’s a disgrace to Montserrado County.”

The Senator urged the Superintendent to instead focus on her own issues. “I want the superintendent to tell me what they did with the development money for Montserrado County what she and other members of the caucus did with six hundred thousand United States dollars (USD$600,000.00) given by china union for development purposes. Let them account for that money. Why is she behind Thomas Fallah when he is on record for signing for money out of the county development for that goes to his private institution T.Five Institution? This is some of the things that led to the forced resignation of Grace Kpan.”

Senator Dillon said his salary has renovated several toilets. “It has done hand pump in port River and making some intervention in Todee area district #1. I want her join me to make salary of five thousand. The superintendent is a CDCian who has refused to meet with me because they are under instruction not do business with me.”

Embarrassing and shameful

Senator Dillon has also described as shame and embarrassment, recent decision against Liberia by the US government, banning Mr. Andrew Wonplo, the former Director of Passport from traveling to the US.  Senator Dillon is meanwhile requesting the US government to take more of such action against any official of the Liberian government who refuses to practice transparency and accountability. “I think it’s a shame and a total embarrassment I think America is in the right position to do what they did and I would think they should do more to any of us, Public officials, since America is our heaven. They should start denying us visa if we don’t serve with probity. This is a good start. I want the US to deny us including President Weah visa.”

MONROVIA – Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of the opposition Liberty Party says President George Weah’s tenure would end abruptly should the ruling party attempt tampering with the results of the December 8 Special Senatorial Elections.

Speaking on the 50-50 Talk Show on Sky FM on Monday, Sen. Dillon said poll watchers from the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) would announce the unofficial results from the tally sheets of the National Elections Commission immediately after tallying.

“George Weah and his gang will understand that we’re not taking this for joke. When the people wake up in the morning and go to express their right for their choice, it must be respected, any attempt, it would be the immediate end of the George Weah and the CDC administration from December this year.”

Sen. Dillon further emphasized: “There are some people who’re not talking at all, they’re only waiting to speak on December 8 and you deprive them, you’ll know what kind of fire all of us can warm ourselves with.”

When contacted for clarification on his statement, Sen. Dillon told FrontPageAfrica that his comment is for call for

free, fair and transparent and anything less would be totally unacceptable.

“George Weah and his gang will understand that we’re not taking this for joke. When the people wake up in the morning and go to express their right for their choice, it must be respected, any attempt, it would be the immediate end of the George Weah and the CDC administration from December this year.”

Senator Abraham Darius Dillon (Montserrado County, Liberty Party)

Sen. Dillon said he’s not deterred by the any amount of money that is being spent by the ruling CDC towards the election. He recalled that Montserrado County has a history of people who spent the most money during elections losing massively.

“The people don’t be swayed by money. The people can almost already know their choice and made their decision before the election,” he said.

He insinuated that money, rice, motorbikes and other items being distributed by the ruling party is a redistribution of the country’s wealth stolen by the government.

He noted that the entire government under the Executive is now in the field running campaign and violating the law.

“The people who are supposed to enforce the law from the Executive are the ones violating the law,” he said.

Dillon added: “In keeping with the Code of Conduct, none of these people are supposed to be in the field campaigning, none of them is supposed to be talking politics. None of them is supposed to be on political campaign.”

He lamented that these officials are being aided and abated in the violation of law by Pres. Weah.

Monrovia – Senator Abraham Darius Dillon(Liberty Party, Montserrado ) has taken Commerce Minister Wilson Tarpeh and the World Food Programme Liberia to task over the lack of transparency and accountability regarding the COVID-19 food distribution.

“The way they are proceeding, something is smelling – and we need the deodorant to spray the place,” the Senator Monday during an appearance on Sky FM’s 50-50 Show Monday.

Senator Dillon expressed grave disappointment in Minister Tarpeh’s handling of the program. “I am disappointed that Mr. Wilson Tarpeh and the Executive branch of government has up to date failed, refused and neglected to submit the contract between the Liberian government and the World Food Program regarding this food distribution.”

Senator Dillon says the main reason for demanding transparency on the issue is to allay fears in the minds of Liberians skeptical about the process.  “The reason I would demand openness and transparency for the sake of accountability is to erase suspicions, speculations, rumors and lies. When you operate under the  cloud of darkness then you create suspicions in the eyes of the people.”

Minister ‘Lied Under Oath’

The Senator recalled that when Minister Tarpeh appeared before the Senate a month ago, it was  plenary decision to have him, as head of the Steering Committee of the food distribution,  submit to the body, the contract and the full detail of the time for the distribution.

To his amazement, Senator Dillon said, the minister reneged. “He didn’t do so. Last week, when he appeared before this body, normally, I would remind these public officials that they’re under oath, meaning they should say the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Mr. Wilson Tarpeh under oath, lied and said that the Plenary of the Liberian Senate did not instruct him to submit the contract. That contract issue was brought up by me.”

The Senator said, during the minister’s second appearance the issue was again brought up but he refused to submit the contract.

Senator Dillon said is reason for pushing the minister was to put everything on the record. “During his first appearance I had already heard that government had entered into a contract with World Food Programme – and that the contract would be around seven to nine million United States dollars and because I did not want to dwell on rumors and speculations, especially as a lawmaker, I made it a Plenary discussion. I made it form part of Plenary discussion and we all agreed as the Liberian Senate for us to be presented with the contract.”

To his surprise, the Senator averred, nothing has been submitted. “One month passed and Wilson Tarpeh was summoned, when I particularly, was granted the time to speak, I reminded him. Mr. Tarpeh told the Liberian Senate that we didn’t ask him to bring contract. I reminded him about that he just said was untrue under oath. In fact, he said, he did not sign the contract, that it was signed by the Minister of Finance because it had to do with the fiscal aspect.”

Sadly, the Senator explained, the steering committee is  chaired by Minister Tarpeh while the minister of Finance is a member of that committee. “The chairman of the steering committee should be in possession of the contract and submit it to the Plenary of the Senate.”

Senator Dillon said initially, the Liberian populace were under the impression that the WFP was making the money available and giving free food.

“I am disappointed that Mr. Wilson Tarpeh and the Executive branch of government has up to date failed, refused and neglected to submit the contract between the Liberian government and the World Food Program regarding this food distribution.”

– Senator Abraham Darius Dillon

Now, it has been reported that Liberia is in fact using a loan from the IMF to fund the project. “I wonder why we  as a  country would be  borrowing money and we giving some to WFP to feed us as though we do not have national institutions to handle such things. These are some of the things that turned me off after we passed the recast budget the way we did because if we had done proper scrutiny to that budget, a lot of things would have been brought to the table to  clear doubts.”

‘Something Just Not Right’

Senator Dillon said this is the first time in the history of Liberia that one house of the legislature, passed the budget on a resolution. “We have two kinds of resolution, one is simple resolution, a resolution binding on one house and a joint resolution with a binding force of law, that is why the both houses, the both chambers concur then the President will approve and print it into handbill so that it can have the binding force of law  to be implemented. When you the Senate pass the budget with a resolution – and the house of representative does not act on that resolution, then it’s crazy.”

According to the Senator, the House of Representative is the first institution that passes on revenue bill. “The budget is law but it’s more than a revenue bill. So, the house passes by procedure, when the house passes the budget, the house passes it to the Senate. When the House pass it to the Senate it becomes engrossed bill because it’s not law yet because the Senate has not concurred. When the Senate   concurs, it is called Enrolled Bill, then that is a law; but it is not enforced until it is sent to the President for approval. When the President approves it and publishes it into a handbill, then it becomes an enforceable law. But when the house sends an engrossed bill and we the Senate acts on a resolution, it is troubling. We have not met the benchmark required to get something enacted legally. So, the recast budget for Liberia as is, is just  crazy.”

This is why the Senator says something is just not right about the entire process. “There is something fishy here and we will not rest until we  clear this doubt. When we borrow in a credit facility so to speak, from the IMF, US$25-$30 million in keeping with the resolution under the State of Emergency, I don’t know how many of us lawmakers know what the credit facility  is, what is the interest rate we are going to pay, when we are going to start paying back and what are those terms. When the country borrows money, whether it’s US$10  or ten cents, the legislature must ratify it. So, that it  can be legally binding under the republic for the future generation of this country.”

The Senator said as far as he knows the Senate did not sign off on a loan. “I know as a Senator we did not ratify any such loan agreement. There is not instrument that can show proof, that we took this credit facility from the IMF and it was ratify in keeping with law. I am not aware of that; I hope I can be proven wrong.”

No ‘Righteous Anger’ in Senate

The Senator alarmed that Liberia is borrowing money under strange circumstances. “We are using 32 percent of the amount, one-third of the amount on administrative cost and logistical stuff. No breakdown. You take bulk figure and put it in a column, named for NGO. What’s the name of the NGO? What are they doing? You take bulk figure, you put it for administrative cost. WFP already taking US$1.8 million out of the US$9 million – that’s the overall administrative  cost, then public officials who are part of the steering  committee, are taking US$300,000. They are already been paid to do this work. Then the money they supposed to feed this country with, they are using it for their administrative cost. What is this administrative cost – for Wilson Tarpeh, for Samuel Tweah them – and all of those on that steering  committee. What is it? What are the names of the NGOs. What is the breakdown on vehicle and logistics?”

Added the Senator: “If we are using US1 million dollars to take food into the rural areas, why don’t we use  common sense by giving rural farmers a chance to make some money of their own by buying locally. The economies in those counties will boom if this is done.”

The Senator said he will not rest until the contract is made public. “The contract must be submitted. Whether they do the distribution today, whether they end it tomorrow, we will continue to demand the contract because no fair play was done to the people of Liberia over this money.”

The Senator appealed to his colleagues to do the right thing by the Liberian people by asking the right questions and holding members of the Executive Branch to the fire. “If the leadership of the Senate were asking the tough questions, these and many other things won’t be happening. But the people in the Cabinet and the Executive work at the will and pleasure of the president. We in the legislature cannot serve at the will and pleasure of the president, we should not serve at the pleasure of the President. That is why we have constitutional guarantee tenure so that we can serve the people. If both we in the legislature and the executive serve at the pleasure of the President, who will stand up for the people? If we have a strong leadership that don’t think we should stand up at all, many times for the people, Wilson Tarpeh won’t be walking around. We insisted that no food should be distributed until we see the  contract between the government and the WFP.  But Wilson Tarpeh is distributing food. Do you see any righteous anger from the legislature? It is business as usual.”

Monrovia – When Abraham Darius Dillon won his way into the Senate with an emphatic victory over Paulita Wie last August, he not only defied immense odds in doing so but with the backing of the four-party coalition – his Liberty Party, All Liberian Party, Alternative National Congress and the former ruling Unity Party, also tore the institutional fabric of George Weah’s Coalition for Democratic Change apart.

Analysis by Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Dillon secured a total of 102,549 votes representing 55.74 percent while his closest rival Wie, obtained 63,971 votes representing 34.77 percent.

The last time anyone scored such a lopsided victory for Montserrado was Weah, when he contested in 2014, winning the county seat that includes the capital, Monrovia, with 78% of the vote, defeating Robert Sirleaf, the son of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who received 11% of the vote tally

The popularity of the self-proclaimed “Light” of the Senate continues to rise with many including the ruling CDC quietly fearing that he may be unbeatable.

That has not stop the CDC from working toward regaining lost grounds.

Over the past few weeks, multiple sources within the party acknowledged to FrontPageAfrica that the threat of Mr. Dillon’s invincibility is real which is why serious vetting is ongoing to find not just a suitable but a winnable candidate.

Among those reportedly being considered are Montserrado County District No. 5 Representative, Thomas Fallah, Rep. Acarous Moses Gray(District No. 8, Montserrado), Assistant Gender Minister Mamensie Kabba, former Deputy Internal Affairs Minister Paulita Wie, who ran against Dillon last August, Rep. Munah Pelham Youngblood(Montserrado County, District No. 9), Professor Wilson Tarpeh, Minister of Commerce and Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson Koijee.

Until Mr. Dillon’s victory, the CDC had since 2005, dominated Montserrado’s senatorial elections with the party’s candidates scoring important victories.

Montserrado is composed of Seventeen districts and as of the 2008 Census, it had a population of 1,118,241, making it the most populous county in Liberia.] The area of the county measures 1,912.7 square kilometres (738.5 sq mi), the smallest in the country.

Created in 1847 at the foundation of the country, the county is the oldest in Liberia. Montserrado’s County Superintendent is Nyenekon Beauty Snoh-Barcon.  The county is bordered by Bomi County to the west, Bong County to the north, and Margibi County to the east. The southern part of Montserrado lies on the Atlantic Coast.

FrontPageAfrica now takes a look at those under consideration and weighs their chances of standing up to the challenge of making Mr. Dillon a short-term Senator.

MARY BROH

One of the few holdovers from the Sirleaf presidency, Broh, who endured strong criticisms when the CDC was in the opposition, has suddenly become its surprising star.

When the Weah administration was struggling to deal with the deadly Coronavirus pandemic, it called on Broh, who performed a similar role during the deadly Ebola virus epidemic in 2014.

President George Weah appointed Broh as the National Response Coordinator for the Executive Committee on Coronavirus (ECOC) in Liberia, tasked with providing supervision toward a single set of national strategic objectives for defeating the Coronavirus disease. Broh, who is also the Director General of the General Services Agency(GSA), has also been coordinating the National COVID-19 multi-sectorial response plan, in coordination with the United Nations (UN), donor partners, Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).

Broh, a former mayor of Monrovia, first served the Liberian government in March 2006 as the Special Projects Coordinator for President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s executive staff. In 2007, she was promoted to direct the Passport Bureau in a successful attempt to curtail and eliminate corruption and bribery within the division. In 2008, Broh became the Deputy Director of the National Port Authority. In February 2009, she was selected to serve as Acting Mayor of Monrovia in place of the previous mayor, Ophelia Hoff Saytumah, in the President’s effort to legitimize the MCC’s administrative and financial management. Although Broh was seated in February 2009 by appointment, rather than by the usual democratic election process, she was not officially confirmed by the Liberian Senate. 

Broh has worked to clean up the capital city with measures that include citywide litter reduction campaigns aimed to increase public awareness of litter, sanitation, and overall public health. In October 2009, she implemented the revised City Ordinance No. 1, originally established by the MCC in 1975 to address public health, sanitation, and street vendors. The revision sought to address issues that have accumulated in the capital over the last two decades such as overflowing and unsanitary trash, makeshift structures and unregulated street vendors who sell foodstuffs to locals and tourists alike.

POTENTIAL OBSTACLE: The unconventional Broh is still haunted by her controversial flogging of market women and street sellers when the current players where in the opposition. A lot of CDCians still hold it against her.

REP. THOMAS FALLAH

A member of House of Representatives, representing District No. 5, Montserrado County, since 2006, Rep. Fallah could be the most difficult challenge for Senator Dillon. Prior to his election to the national Legislature, Fallah served as Administrative Assistant in the Bureau of Afro- Asian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prior to his time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was General Coordinator of the Pit-Sawyers’ Association and Forest Products Dealers of Liberia. He also served as Chairman, Light Brothers’ Wood Association. He is a graduate of the A. M. E. University with a degree in Management.

Rep. Fallah has served on several committees in the house including the committee on Youth & Sports
Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry Public Utilities, Planning and Economic Affairs.

Fallah has undertaken numerous projects in his district and the ruling party is keen to capitalize on his Lofa roots to score votes from amongst Lofains residing in Montserrado.

POTENTIAL OBSTACLE: While the lawmaker appears to be  shoe-in to go against Dillon, he may fall prey to the incumbency fatigue and Dillon’s message of shining a light in the Senate. A county impressed with Senator Dillon’s quest to exposed ills in the upper house may not be ready, at least not yet to give the county back to the CDC.

REP. ACAROUS MOSES GRAY

A member of the House of Representatives since 2012, representing Montserrado County District No. 8, Rep. Gray has been in the trenches of the party for years and one of its strongest voices.

He won re-election 2018 despite facing a crowded field of opponents. He has served on several  committees in the lower house, including Chair on Governance and Government Reform, member,  Youth and Sports; Public Utilities, Executive and Maritime.

Rep. Gray has been one of the few ruling party lawmakers to openly supported benefits cuts for all 73 members of the House of Representatives to help salvage the economy.

In recent months, Rep. Gray has not hidden his criticisms of Senator Dillon, who he says, is desperate to return to the senate in the October midterm senatorial election.

POTENTIAL OBSTACLE: Gray, along with party chair Morlu has expressed some concerns over some decisions and actions of President Weah. The pair have reportedly been in the president’s dog house but there appears to have been some attempts to make amends on both sides.

MAMENSIE KABBA

Currently an assistant minister at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection Services, Kabbah was one of fiery women of the CDC, during the party’s opposition days, whose regular calls to radio talk shows, trumpeting the party’s agenda propelled her to heroine status within the party.

Prior to her entry into government, Kabba was deeply involved in advocating for the rights of poor and struggling Liberians.

As a member of the Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinions, Kabba used her platform to advocate for women and was as strong voice calling for the intervention into the alleged trafficking of Liberian girls to Lebanon as well as demanding the Liberian government bring justice to the victims of sexual abuse.

While some party stalwarts see Kabba as one of the party’s strong heroines, others say she still has time to grow before given the opportunity to contest.

POTENTIAL OBSTACLE: A recent online magazine recently asked: “Where is yesterday’s Mamensie Kabba? Kabba, like many of the CDC’s youth are finding it hard duplicating their opposition play as members of government.

JEFFERSON KOIJEE

Koijee, the current mayor of the capital city of Liberia Monrovia is the firebrand former youth leader of the party. Once a fierce critic of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf  during the CDC’s opposition days, Koijee’s stock has slowly deteriorated not so much to his own doing but the change of scenery from opposition to incumbency and the expectations that follow.

His  transition from opposition youth activism to head of the city government came at a costly debacle for Koijee who boasts  of being the first mayor to be confirmed by the Senate since the end of the civil war.  

Despite his struggles, Koijee still commands the respect of the party’s youths. As the former  National Youth Chairman for the Revolutionary National Youth League of the CDC, Mr. Koijee’s stint as County Coordinator, Montserrado for the Federation of Liberian Youth, the umbrella organization for all youth groupings gives him the leverage needed to play the role of a kingmaker, if he decides against making a strong case to contest and convince the party that he is the right candidate to go against Dillon.

POTENTIAL OBSTACLE: Koijee may have fallen prey to the incumbency meltdown and poor performance and perception of the ruling CDC in the county. While he still has control of some of the party’s die-hard youths, he may not have the crossover appeal as Rep. Fallah, who party insiders say is more likely to get the nod.

MUNAH PELHAM YOUNGBLOOD

A member of the lower house since 2006, Rep. Youngblood, a former Protocol Specialist, Actress and  Administrator has served on several  committees, including  Co-Chair-Women Legislative Caucus Member – Foreign Affairs; Banking and Currency; Youths and Sports; Public Utilities; Gender and Child Development and Joint Legislative Modernization

No stranger to controversy, Rep. Youngblood who is still recovering from a long illness has not shied away from taking on Senator Dillon. In February, following a string of attacks on the Senator in which she referred to him as a “rat” and “protest Senator”, Rep. Youngblood, who spent almost the entire 2019 on sick leave in the United States where she was battling a protracted illness, has also thrown pointed jabs at Sentor Dillon’s level of education.

She told a CDC gathering last year, that she, the ‘cat was back’ to chase the rat that has been gallivanting in Monsterado County. “All the Muppets that were dancing to Tom and Jerry musing please note that the cat is here. When I see you where you not supposed to be, I am the cat, I have returned and I will eat you raw,” she taunted. “I am sending out an open point on behalf of the tripartite arrangement, the Coalition for Democratic Change, a conglomeration of political parties that are ruling this country that we are getting ready for you. And for me, I am not getting ready, I am ready.”

Youngblood later told reporters at her Capitol Hill office she would not ruling out contesting the Montserrado Senatorial Seat. “If the people of Montserrado ask me to do [contest], I will listen to them. If my constituents want me to contest, I will listen to them. I will talk with my family and my strategic team, and we will get back to the public. I come from a political institution,” she responded when asked if she will contest in 2020.

POTENTIAL OBSTACLE: Rep. Youngblood’s health is still a concern for many who are unsure she will be able to face off with Senator Dillon down the stretch of what promises to be a grueling campaign.

WILSON TARPEH

Professor Tarpeh  is one of the party’s seasoned and experience elders. A financial expert and administrator with over thirty-six (36) years of executive level experience in both private and public sectors, at home and abroad, Tarpeh has served as President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Agricultural & Cooperative Development Bank (ACDB), Executive Director of the African Development Bank Group, Minister of Finance, Executive Director of the Financial Sector Reform Secretariat, Office of the President of Liberia; Managing Director of the Atlantic Finance Corporation (AFC), Executive Vice President for Africa, DNR Investment Group. Prof. Tarpeh also consulted with the ADB, the United Nations Development Program, the European Union, United States Treasury, and the Government of Mozambique, among many.

He is a former Dean of the Graduate School of Business, and Vice President for Fiscal Affairs & Finance, respectively, University of Liberia, where he also teaches Accounting and Finance. He served on many corporate Boards of Directors, both in the public and private sectors. Until his appointment as Minister of Commerce and Industry, Prof. Tarpeh served as lead Counsel in the TARGUS Law Group, a high end law firm concentrating in corporate law.

Professor Tarpeh holds a Bachelors of Law (LLB) from the Louise Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia; a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from the I. University of Pennsylvania; a Master of Science (M.S.) in Accounting from the University of New Haven, New Haven Connecticut, USA; and a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (BBA) in Management from the University of Liberia.

Professor Tarpeh also attended a number of Executive Management Development Programs, including the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Fuqua School of Business, Duke University and the Italian Institute of financial Management, in Milan Italy.

POTENTIAL OBSTACLE: Tarpeh’s handling of the gasoline crisis earlier this year and the uncertainty over the controversial stimulus package could make him an easy prey for the tough-talking Senator. Also, some party stalwarts are unsure Tarpeh can pull it off against Dillon but see him as a strong voice who can go toe-to-toe with the Senator on the issues.

POTENTIAL OBSTACLE: Koijee may be a victim of the incumbent’s  curse. A strong run would largely depend on how quickly the ruling party can turn things around.

PAULITA WIE

The daughter of one of Liberia’s finest broadcast journalists, the late Paul Allen Wie was seen as the ideal candidate to defeat Dillon last year. But even after a dismal showing, the party, for a long time after flirting with the idea of prepping her up for a rematch.

POTENTIAL OBSTACLE: A ruling party looking to regain its footing in what was once its stronghold, appear to be unwilling to give Wie another shot.

The challenge for ruling party is that Montserrado has never really been an incumbent county. Even during the days of Samuel Doe, in the November 1985 elections, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf emerged victorious. Weah and the CDC dominated the county, as members of the opposition during the two terms of Sirleaf’s presidency. Now in the driver’s seat as the incumbent, the party faces an uphill task in recapturing the county.

For Dillon, who has been on the heels of the party and trumpeting his message of change, it doesn’t matter who the ruling party put up, he believes he has the upper hand.

“Your who put me there, have I disappointed you?”, the Senator, appearing with Alexander Cummings, head of the Coalition of Political Parties(CPP), asked a small meeting in Gbenba Town at the weekend. “CDC says they force to take the seat, your agree? We have to take over the Senate and change the country.”

The Senator explained that his presence is key to restoring hope for Liberia. “Let me tell you why we need light at the Capitol Building and in the country. When the place is dark for long that’s when people can do anything they please. If we don’t change the Senate, the country cannot change. The senate alone can change this country. With the Senate standing up for the people, anything the legislators want do, the Senate will block it, if the Senate fighting for you, anything the President want do, the Senate can stop it.”

It is a message, political watchers say, could prove pivotal for the ruling party in pursuit of regaining its footing in a county with enormous implications for the rest of Liberia. Many agree that the upcoming Senatorial Mid Term election is a litmus test not just for the CDC-led government but the opposition as well. A strong showing by the opposition could send a clear message to the establishment that its popularity is on the rocks. If the ruling party is successful in ousting Dillon, it could further embolden the incumbent’s strength.

For the foreseeable future, there appear to be cracks on both sides of the political divide. The Weah administration is struggling to resolve unsettling divisions within the country and boggled down by a dismal economy that could prove to be a major decider in whether or not the party has what it takes to unseat Dillon. On the other hand, the CPP and the opposition appear to be divided over how to proceed with some preferring a selective process to choose candidate against the preferred Voter Perception Survey. Whichever way it turns, the Mid Term elections later this year will offer a glimpse of what’s to come in 2023.

Monrovia – The Chairman of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Mr. Alexander Benedict Cummings, says Liberians are being negatively affected as a result of a mistake made in 2017 to elect the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) led-government of President George Manneh Weah.

Mr. Cummings said the current overall living condition of citizens is far worse than two years ago.

He made these assertions when he donated rice and L$100,000 for the purchase of a generator to citizens of Gbengar Town in District # 6, Montserrado County.

Mr. Cummings said although the decision taken by citizens during the 2017 general and presidential elections to elect President Weah was a mistake, similar mistake should not be repeated during the December 2020 senatorial election, and the 2023 general elections.

“You are feeling the pinch today. I know some of you here voted for President Weah; but you get to make mistakes sometimes. But let’s not make that same mistake in 2020. Let’s start electing better Senators like Senator Darius Dillon”.

Alexander B. Cummings, Chairman, Collaborating Political Parties

He noted that leaders that will prioritize the interest of the people over their personal aggrandizement must be accorded the opportunity to serve.

 “The Liberian people made a mistake in 2017 when they elected President Weah and this government. You are feeling that mistake today. Your life today is worse off than it was two years ago,’ he said.

“You are feeling the pinch today. I know some of you here voted for President Weah; but you get to make mistakes sometimes. But let’s not make that same mistake in 2020. Let’s start electing better Senators like Senator Darius Dillon”.

Mr. Cummings further cautioned citizens against electing those who intend to embezzle state funds at the detriment of the citizenry.

“Elect people who care for you; not people who will steal your money or take care of themselves first before they take care of you. Your future is in your hands and so, you have to elect the right people to lead and change this country. It can be done but every Liberia has to place his/her part,” he said.

At the same time, the CPP political leader has accused President George Manneh Weah of consistently reneging on taking full responsibility of the current economic hardship and other situations in the country.

According to him, the Liberian leader continues to show no real interest in moving the country forward and helping to improve the lives of citizens as evidenced by his consistent habit of shifting blame on the opposition.

He added that vast majority of the plans or promises made by the CDC government are yet to be actualized to help alleviate numerous constraints confronting citizens across the country.

“When you have a President who we elected or has the responsibility to change this country and he takes no responsibility and says it’s the opposition’s fault. But who is in charge? Who got the power?

“He takes care of his best clothes and cars, but when it comes to taking care of you, it is zero. You can go down the list of everything they said they will do-nothing has happened”.

For his part, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon underscored the need for the Senate to stand up for the Liberian people.

“We went in there and we told you that we were going to put light on. Some people thought it was just LEC light. When the place is dark for long, people can do any kind of thing witchcraft can fly, and the people that are naked do not have time to wear clothes. Don’t announce that you are putting light on-you will hear them asking, ‘who tell you to put light on,” Senator Dillon said.

“The Senate alone can change this country. With the Senate standing up for the people-anything the House of Representatives or the President wants to do, the Senate can block it. It can start to change the country”.

Dillion, who is the Vice Chairman for Political Affairs of the opposition Liberty Party — one of the political parties that make up the CPP –, attributed the unprecedented wave of noise in Liberia to the multiplicity of intellectual centers across the country.

Senator Dillon used the occasion to call on young people to acquire vocational skills to improve their living conditions, instead of “wasting their time at intellectual centers”.

He said although the acquiring of a degree in Political Science or Sociology is not bad, there is no ‘job market’ for graduates of these disciplines as compare to their counterparts who obtained vocational skills in carpentry, plumbing, masonry, painting, among others.

“The intellectuals in this country are too plenty until the country is too noisy. Let’s think about giving young people vocational skills. Our old people have no comfort in their retirement, no hope for the children and no direction for the young people,” he said.

“The intellectual halls are plenty because we have too many less busy people. We have too many less busy people because we are running behind the wrong kind of education in this country. Right now, technical vocational education can take you from the classrooms straight to work”.

He, however, commended residents of the town for the confidence reposed in him during last year’s by-election in Montserrado County.

MONROVIA – President George Weah’s declared state of emergency is likely to be endorsed by the Legislature but that will have to come with the implementation of some bargains like restoring the three days ‘free call’ promo, lifting US$0.30 tax off petroleum products, provision of regular and stable electricity, among others, for the 21-day period, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has told FrontPageAfrica.

Report by Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

In an exclusive interview with FPA, Senator Dillon said he is supportive of the state of emergency but concerned about measures relating to the state of emergency.

He said, “I believe that the state of emergency as announced, in as much I do agree that there should be these kinds of measures, I think it was more like a knee-jerk reaction on the part of the President. It has clearly shown to me it was not well thought of and well planned.”

His comment was in response to complaints from residents of Montserrado County that not enough time was given for them to adequately prepare for the lockdown/state of emergency.

President Weah announced the state of emergency on Wednesday, April 8 at 1pm, stating that it would go into effect beginning Friday, April 10 at 11:59PM. Friday was, however, a holiday causing all stores and banks to remain closed.

This led to crowded banks and markets on Saturday morning with no regard to the social distancing rule.

“We as government-imposed tariffs on it, we can suspend that tariff and restore the ‘three days’ to the status before we imposed the tariff on it so that while our people are home looking for food, looking for medicine, trying to cooperate with the instructions from the government, some of these headaches can be removed. Keeping in contact with relatives and friends at this time is very essential.”

– Abraham Darius Dillon, Montserrado County Senator

Senator Dillon noted that “When the President declares a state of emergency, the President should be prepared already. What is confusing the Liberian people is that the Constitution says the President may in consultation with the Speaker and Pro-Tempore declare a state of emergency. It goes further to say that thereafter the President will lay before the Legislature – before the entire body – the justification for the state of emergency and the measures to be taken during that period. The fact that the President announced the state of emergency on April 8 to take effect on April 10 and up to today April 12, there is no formal presentation to Liberian Senate, it only says that the President announced a state of state of emergency without plans.”

He said the Legislature cannot modify what it has not seen and don’t know and the President has failed to furnish them with the measures, therefore, the Legislature cannot do anything at the moment.

He said this has led to the state security carrying out a discretional enforcement of the state of emergency.

The Montsrrado County Senator said there is the need for the Executive to clearly define whether there is a curfew or a lockdown.

Dillon: “There is no understanding. The security man can use his discretion whether you can get on your porch or you can leave your yard to go your neighbor for salt or you should stay in your room. A lockdown is to confine you to a certain locality, curfew means don’t come outside at all, stay within… As it is, because there is no clear defined measure that we can either modify or revoke, it is left in the hands of the security and sadly we have a regime security rather than state security.”

As part of alleviating the economic burden off citizens during the state of emergency, Senator Dillon says he’ll be proposing to the Legislature for the temporary restoration of the three days ‘free call’ promotion by GSM Companies as to enable families stay connected while they are social distancing.

“We as government-imposed tariffs on it, we can suspend that tariff and restore the ‘three days’ to the status before we imposed the tariff on it so that while our people are home looking for food, looking for medicine, trying to cooperate with the instructions from the government, some of these headaches can be removed. Keeping in contact with relatives and friends at this time is very essential,” he said.

He also called for civil servants to be paid for a period of two months in order to have them prepared “for what it takes to stay home”.

Senator Dillon underscored the need for the state electricity supply to be regular and stable in order to make people comfortable as they stay at home.

“We placed 30 cents per gallon tax on petroleum products for us to construct roads and I agree with that, but during this period, we’re not constructing roads; let’s suspend the 30 cents per gallon, reduce the cost of petroleum products by the pump. The reason behind it is more people are using generator for electricity in this country.

He called for the distribution of rice among recognized old folks homes, orphanages and people with disabilities. According to him, this can be done with the funds coming from the World Bank to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Senator Dillon said he expects the government to encourage the private sector to pay their employees, especially teachers teaching private schools.

According to him, there’s also the need to talk to the commercial banks to suspend the regular payment of loans and also freeze the interests since there is no economic activity ongoing to enable creditors settle their obligations with the banks.

He further called on the Executive to define which of the security apparatus would be in charge of the state of emergency.

“Article 88 of the Constitution is clear that the Legislature by a two-thirds majority of both Houses finally decides on the state of emergency and the measure to be taken, the President will simply implement the decision of the Legislature,” he said.

MONROVIA – Montserrado County Senator, Abraham Darius Dillon, has called on President George Weah to expeditiously furnish the Legislature with reasons and modus operandi of the declared state of emergency to enable the Legislature to either accept, reject or modify the terms and conditions where necessary.

Report by Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

The Senator lamented on Facebook that since the declaration of the state of emergency on Wednesday by the President, the Executive is yet to formally inform the Legislature of the decision for approval.

“The thing here is, and to the best of my certain knowledge, the President has not forwarded anything to the Legislature to be acted upon, to either modify or revoke. At this stage, not much the Legislature can do, because the very Constitution that grants authority to the Legislature to modify or revoke a state of emergency, also grants the President a window of “no later than seven days” to declare a state of emergency before he can present his justification for declaring and measures to be taken and implemented during the said period,” Senator Dillon stated on Facebook.

“It’s been over a month since the coronavirus entered Liberia, IT IS AN EMERGENCY!!!!! World Bank made a commitment of $15 million United States Dollars since March 19 and has paid over half if not all to fight this Virus, there have been many other contributions, some locally, the Government committed $500,000 United States dollars, so we have some money to start, where is the plan?”

Senator Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence, Grand Bassa County

According to him, citizens are confused and do not know what to do and who to run to at this point as many were ill-prepared for the state of emergency.

In the same vein, Senator Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence of Grand Bassa County says though she is supportive of the declaration of a state of emergency, she remains confused about the national response plan.

“It’s been two days Mr. President since you declared the State of Emergency, IT IS AN EMERGENCY!!!!!” she stated on Facebook.

Senator Lawrence: “It’s been over a month since the coronavirus entered Liberia, IT IS AN EMERGENCY!!!!! World Bank made a commitment of $15 million United States Dollars since March 19 and has paid over half if not all to fight this Virus, there have been many other contributions, some locally, the Government committed $500,000 United States dollars, so we have some money to start, where is the plan?”

According to her, the Senate has resumed and their offices remain active as they are working from various chatrooms and via conference calls. However, she expressed that little can be done without the national response plan.

“We will immediately go to our chambers when you are ready, to include our inputs. Liberia is waiting because the mandate is not defined properly. It’s chaotic this morning,” she said.