Monrovia – The Secretary General of Liberia’s former ruling political party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Jefferson Tamba Koijee says the Joseph Nyuma Boakai-led administration has indulged in acts that target political actors and ordinary people to the extent that some citizens have lost their lives at the behest of state security forces.

He said one stance is the repeated infiltration of the CDC headquarters by the Police in the name of confidence patrol at one point and enforcement of search and seizure warrant in the space of one month. During these provocative actions, ordinary Liberians lost their property and others got seriously injured. “This is not what the people signed up for. These are the undemocratic vices that underpinned the civil war in this country and the scars of those moments are still fresh on the minds of Liberians. We know what happened when certain political parties and stakeholders were targeted. The Unity Party Government is nurturing those ugly moments that we do not wish to be reminded about,” SG Koijee indicated.   

According to him, while the dust remains unsettled on the police action, the President is weaponizing the courts against the CDC and other political stakeholders so much that the legal system is becoming inundated with political maneuvering including the manipulation of the case involving owners of the property the CDC occupies as its headquarters to evict the main opposition. “The decision to manipulate the courts against the CDC is counterproductive and tantamount to fermenting chaos in the country. We are asking our International partners to call this government to order,” he emphasized.

He disclosed that President Boakai has deceptively told the world at the United Nations General Assembly that his government is committed to upholding the rule of law and respecting political freedom when the reality back home contradicts that assertion.

“He told the UNGA that his government is committed to upholding rule of law and political freedom but Liberians are being dismissed from their jobs simply because they belong to a political party. He is masterminding the eviction of the CDC from its national headquarters by undermining the legal process through the court that would identify the actual owner of the property to pave the way for negotiation to purchase the facility. This is deception of the highest order,” the CDC Secretary General stressed.

The CDC Chief Scribe told a news conference on the afternoon of September 23, 2024, in Monrovia that the Unity Party that came to power on the pedestal of rescuing Liberia from its nearly two centuries of backwardness has, at the pace of lightning, metamorphosed into a risky mission with tenets of bad governance, widespread looting of state coffers, killing, weaponizing the judiciary against opposition political parties and, the surreptitious altering of national budget to serve of the political interest of the President while critical sectors remain abandoned.

He stated that in June of this year, the National Legislature passed the National Budget with strategic recommendations. The budget was altered by the President’s office through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning before it was printed into a handbill. The lawmakers discovered that the budget document was altered and an amount of US$20 million was moved to other places not initially considered without the acquiescence of the National Legislative in contravention of the law.

Koijee emphasized that this action is criminal and signals brazen disregard for the country’s governance structure that gives the National Legislature the legal authority to deal with the allocation of funds in the national budget. “It also points to potential corruption at the peril of national development efforts that would benefit the citizenry. This is very concerning and the CDC is demanding accountability,” he stressed.

While civil servants are grasping for straws to feed their families and pay school fees, the former ruling party’s stalwart said President Boakai is allegedly carrying US$100,000.00 on his credit card just for entertainment alone. He added that this is why all the President’s trips have not yielded any tangible benefits because the Unity Party-led government is on a merrymaking expedition with no regard for the plight of the Liberian people.

In addition to the President’s elaborate entertainment funds, the CDC Secretary General raised eyebrows on the recent off-budget expenditures reported by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFPA) which revealed several controversial expenses by the UP-led government from January to August 2024. “Under one year, state resources are bearing the brunt of wonton looting.

Koijee pointed out that the Liberian government allocated US$2,307,609 to “unexplained miscellaneous” expenses and US$2.5 million for covert operations through the National Security Agency (NSA). The House of Representatives spent US$1.5 million on special sessions, while the Senate expended US$812,612 for similar purposes. He bemoans the astronomical amounts being spent outside of the budget leaving much to desire for a struggling nation like Liberia under a government that promised to offer the Liberian people better leadership and governance.

“It is sad that the government, under the leadership of President Boakai is spending millions of United States Dollars on covert operations like the country is in danger especially when hospitals and schools are in dire straits for support.

The Secretary General of the CDC Koijee is also calling for further investigation into the death of Miss Charloe Musu, since Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott was acquitted by the Supreme Court. The 39-year-old CDC stalwart of the former ruling party said “Those who accused me of masterminding the death of this promising young lady are now in power. I want them to investigate this matter and bring the perpetrators to book. I am available to face any investigative panel if invited. The hasty request by the family to bury the remains of Miss Musu is worrisome and a potential attempt to undermine any effort to find the real killer of the late Charlotte.

The fact that the former Chief Justice went to jail on allegations of murder and criminal conspiracy should push her to seek further investigation to find the actual killer instead of hurriedly seeking to demand that the girl be buried.”

He added that all those named by Cllr. Jerome J Verdier Sr. are still available to face any investigation to find the perpetrator. “We were in power and they accused us of not doing the right thing to find the alleged killer. “We are not in power anymore. They (our accusers) are in power now. Let them investigate the matter to give the young lady justice,” he added.

MONROVIA – The capital was wet and green on Sunday. The Unity Party labeled it ‘Palm Sunday’ as they defied the deluge that many would have thought would keep them away from the streets and ultimately, the launch of their campaign, but that was not the case.

Report by Lennart Dodoo & Henry Karmo

The launch of Unity Party campaign comes in close comparison to that of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change which took the lead to launch theirs on September 7 pulling a crowd that left many political observers astonished.

Sunday’s launch now raises a new debate in many quarters – “Who pulled the biggest crowd?” For most observers the ruling establishment’s September 7 launch was massive and the Unity Party’s response shows that despite the CDC having an edge, Montserrado County remains a fierce battleground for the October 10 elections.

In the buildup to Sunday’s rally, UP surrogates such as Senator Abraham Darius Dillon claimed after the CDC rally that the UP  would ground Monrovia to a halt when it took to the streets, on Sunday, September 17, 2003.

The UP has claimed it is on a path to unseat President Weah.

In the past five years, the opposition has challenged the governing CDC on narratives that the ‘ country is hard;’ and that the CDC is not governing well.

Several months ago, the opposition CPP of candidate Alexander Cumming, which splintered with the Unity party, launched a ‘We tire suffering rally.’

The opposition generally has pushed the argument and narrative that Liberians will make President Weah a one-term president.

In response, the CDC has argued that it has ‘achieved in six years what the Unity party could not achieve in 12 years’ and on this basis, they believe Liberians will retain them on the first ballot. Claims and counterclaims have flown throughout the political landscape.

These claims would obviously be settled on October 10 but there are milestone events that can gauge where Liberians are generally leaning, three weeks before Election Day.

Political rallies are a clear gauge. Judging by the three rallies that have now been held by the three leading parties, it is safe to say that CDC remains a force to reckon with while overwhelming support also received by the opposition parties, especially the Unity Party cannot be underestimated. However, to retire Pres. Weah as they have claimed they would, they’ll need more grease on their elbows.

Some political pundits counter that big rallies are not necessarily a predictor of victory. In 2005, CDC pulled very big rallies but lost the second round of elections, though an argument can be made that they won the first round. In the mid-term elections of 2020, Thomas Fallah, the CDC senatorial candidate filled the SKD stadium but was defeated by opposition Senatorial candidate Darrius Dillon.

The former Vice President is looking to do what has not been done in 152 years – hoping to lead a former ruling party back to power through the ballot box. The last time it happened was in 1871 but through a coup d’état, when the Republican Party came back to power following the overthrow and assassination in 1871 of President E.J. Roye (first True Whig Party President). Following the overthrow, Vice President James S. Smith became president for a few months. Republican J.J. Roberts assumed the presidency again in January 1872. He was succeeded by another Republican James Spriggs Payne who served until 1877 when TWP President Anthony Gardner came to power.  But TWP hegemony was not assured until the 1883 election of HRW Johnson. The Republicans tried comebacks several times — 1891, 1893, but to no avail. Since the fall of the TWP, successive regimes like Samuel Doe’s National Democratic Party of Liberia, and Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Party (NPP) have attempted comebacks without success.

Amb. Boakai did not say much at his rally, despite the over-crowded stadium being anticipation. He said he could not deliver his speech due to the rain and time. This is reminiscent of his 2017 campaign rally.

However, FrontPageAfrica has obtained a copy of his prepared campaign speech in which he promises a better Liberia.

“We are all excited and optimistic about what is now a national call to rally citizens of this great country for a rescue mission to reverse the hardships so many Liberians and their families have been subjected to for the past 6 years,” he said.

The 78-year-old standard bearer in his speech emphatically voices his preparedness to resist rigging of the October 10 elections. He also noted that he is ready to work with international prosecutors to expose and arrest those who would foster electoral violence and derail our hard-won peace.

Boakai also took some solace in the recent statement made by the United States government regarding safeguarding the integrity of these elections.

He said, “While we welcome the imposition of sanctions on those who would attempt to thwart the will of the Liberian people, we call on ECOWAS, the United States, the European Union, the African Union, and organizations such as International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) to fully, thoroughly and actively engage the process now to avert any threat that will undermine these elections by acknowledging and understanding the significance of identifying and combatting any attempts to undermine this fundamental aspect of our society.”

While asserting that the Weah-led government has plunged the country in economic hardships, social injustice, inequality, and corruption, amongst others, he assured his supporters that if elected, his government would face these challenges head-on.

“Together, we will confront these challenges head-on, with compassion and determination. We will work tirelessly to create an inclusive society, where no one is left behind, where opportunities are abundant, and where the future is brighter for each generation,” he said.

Boakai, who served 12 years as Vice President to Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, but could not secure victory in the elections that followed the end of her tenure believes he is better poised to drive transformation that would be people-driven.

“Let me emphasize that transformation will be driven by the people, and therefore education will be a major part of our agenda. A well-educated society is a thriving society. We will invest in our schools, teachers, and students, ensuring that quality education is accessible to all. By equipping our young minds with the knowledge and skills they need, we will unlock their potential, drive innovation, enhance their dignity and secure a prosperous future for our nation,” he said.

Additionally, the former Vice President, known for his critique of the previous regime he served, where he believed opportunities and resources were squandered, expressed confidence that his administration would not allow Liberia’s resources to be exploited by a select few for their personal gain.

“The people of this country and their government under our stewardship will be equal partners in the judicious exploitation of national resources for the good of the people. If there must be economic growth from the exploitation of our resources, that growth must be equal for our people and must come with development,” he said.

But the former Vice President stands criticized for not utilizing his office during the Sirleaf administration to foster this transformation he now preaches. His analogy that being a Vice President, he was like “a racing car parked in the garage” has continued to haunt him since the 2017 presidential elections debate.

Monrovia – Joseph Boakai faces yet another important decision of his five-decade political career: choosing a running mate ahead of the presidential elections in 2023.

The Unity Party (UP) standard bearer expects to name a committee to vet potential running mates in a few months, according to three elite members of the party with knowledge of the situation who spoke to FrontPageAfrica Sunday on the condition of anonymity.

Selecting a running mate is always critical for a presidential candidate. But it’s an especially urgent calculation for the 77-year-old Boakai who, if he wins, would be one of the oldest African presidents. 

The decision carries added weight amid an emerging crisis within his newly-formed political marriage with the All Liberian Party (ALP) and the Sen. Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence, the embattled political leader of the Liberty Party.

“We’re still going to be in crisis or recovery, and you want a running mate who can manage that,” a UP political strategist who worked for former president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s 2011 campaign. “This seems like a much more important decision than usual.”

Boakai faces pressure on multiple fronts. He must consider the demands of the ideologically diverse parties within his collaboration, especially their roles played in standing with him before breaking ranks with the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP).

He must balance those concerns with his stated desire for a partner who is “ready to be president on a moment’s notice.”

Stalwarts close to several presumed contenders say they’ve not yet been contacted. Boakai has offered plenty of hints. He’s said he can easily pick anyone but is in no hurry to name a running mate. 

According to multiple sources, he’s given no indication of whether he’ll look to the Senate, where he spent six years as president of the Liberian Senate.

Some options available to Boakai

Sen. Karngar-Lawrence: Boakai hasn’t hidden his admiration for the Liberty Party senator. Her political feat earned in Grand Bassa County as a two-term elected senator makes her politically relevant to Boakai, who did little to tamp down speculation about her prospects as running mate, despite Mo Ali, former secretary general of UP, donning a customized t-shirt with the inscriptions “Boakai-Nyonblee 2023”.

Benoni Urey: Boakai has also spoken positively of the ALP standard bearer, who has stood with him since they both lost the 2017 presidential elections. Urey is arguably the richest within the three-party collaboration, a valuable commodity for an opposition seeking to unseat the ruling party. But his dismal performance in the 2017 presidential elections in which he finished 6th place with a total vote of 24, 246 accounting for 1.6 per cent could put the odds against him.

Sen. Prince Moye: As a senator from the third-most populous county in the country, the Bong County senator would bring a lot of fortunes to Boakai if selected. In 2017, Unity Party struggled in an election where the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) won both the first and second rounds of the elections in Bong County. But Moye, who won twice as representative of Bong’s second district before going on to win as senator in 2020, has made significant amends in the county, defeating the ruling party candidate Henry Yallah in a crucial senatorial election the CDC deemed as “a must win to redeem its image”.

But Unity Party, according to political pundits, could experience could experience similar scenario in Bong if Boakai picks Moye as running mate, considering that the current vice president and a native of Bong, Jewel Howard-Taylor, could be retained by President George Weah as running mate.

Fury over Ali’s “Boakai-Nyonblee” hint

At the fund raising program of the Karnga-Lawrence faction of Liberty Party in Buchanan over the weekend, Ali sent a strong hint to would-be contenders for running mate to Boakai when he donned a t-shirt with the inscriptions “Boakai-Nyonblee” 2023.

Ali would then follow up with a post on Facebook: “We are not ambivalent, we are not ambiguous and we know exactly where we stand. The t-shirt tells where we stand and that’s on period,” Mo Ali posted as he sat next to Boakai at the program.

Some members of the collaboration,  especially members of Urey’s ALP, took to social media to register their displeasure, describing Ali’s action as a disrespect to their political leader.

Byron Brown, Jr, of the ALP posted on Facebook: “Boaka’s silence after seeing Mo Ali donned a t-shirt of him and Sen. Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence signifies that he wants another confusion to erupt in the new arrangement.”

“Mr. Benoni Urey  must be respected for being loyal to Boakai over the years when no other opposition leader in the disintegrated CPP had confidence in him.”

Jethro Emmanuel Kolleh, a member of ALP, wrote on Facebook: When there was crisis within the CPP, it was only ALP, the “one per cent” party that stood up to have salvaged his political status. Where were you (in reference to the role of Karnga-Lawrence). We are not arrowheaded on being vice president, but respect must be accorded.”

“An attempt to launch a ‘Bassa Caravan’ again, we will not support such. “We are waiting on you to openly pledge support to Boakai presidency, Sen. Karnga-Lawrence.”

The potential crisis within the new political arrangement has also claimed the attention of renowned Liberian journalist Matthew Nyanplu, who described the possibility of a Boakai-Nyonblee ticket as “a caricature of the Weah-Taylor ticket of 2017”.

He said the Boakai-Nyonblee ticket would cost Liberia, as Weah-Taylor, with the debt of by-election in Grand Bassa if they won. “From an economic standpoint, it is a poor decision and does not represent any difference from what we have today in Liberia, same thinking, same actions. By that, they cannot win, by being more of what they seek to change,” he said.

Nyanplu said the Liberty Party senator has no appeal beyond Grand Bassa. “She narrowly defeated Gbehzongar Findley during the 2020 senatorial election, a result that says much about what she brings to the ticket in terms of numbers and her leadership prowess. 

“On policy and national leadership, Nyonblee is barely known for any policy stance. Her impact at the Senate remains questionable. What policy, or act has she put forward and what impact has that had on Liberia. What is her traction in the Senate where she has been for more than 10years? We are yet to see.”

“We are yet to see proof of Nyonblee’s capability to lead Liberia, were the unforeseen to happen! What leadership traction does she bring? We need more evidence and judging 10years at the Senate, it seems more Liberia has been paying Nyonblee to be the same as all those who are there. Only a strong and marked breakaway from business as usual can energize Liberians to clamor away from the party in power.”

Nyanplu said a Boakai-Nyonblee ticket would drive Liberians away rather than attracts them. “Boakai, a former vice president for 12 years with nothing to show for it; though he says he was parked; Nyonblee, a senator from one of Liberia’s original founding counties, in power for more than 10 years, with less sway in her county and a contested stronghold.”

“All point to distraction from what should be at the core of defeating Weah and CDC, a break from business as usual and people who are benefiting from a system they claim is victimizing them. Boakai-Nyonblee is ordinary and not extraordinary. It has zero appeal and will not break.”

Monrovia – Politics is now taking center stage in Liberia as the clock ticks to the October 2017 elections, and self-proclaimed king makers are making decisions to favor their quest and the aspirants they support.

Report by Al-Varney Rogers; al.rogers@frontpageafricaonline.com

The latest political switch happened on Thursday, January 19 when the Liberty Party lost its national vice chair for membership and recruitment to the candidacy of Vice President Joseph Boakai.

Emmanuel Azango resigned and gave his support to the Unity Party standard bearer which also has an auxiliary – the National Movement for the Support of Joseph Boakai (NAMBO).

“On today, January 19, 2017, through you, I decisively announce to the nation my resignation as Vice Chairman for Mobilization and Recruitment, and as a member of the Liberty Party, an institution I have spent fifteen unbroken years—giving the best of my services and geniuses,” Azango announced.

Azongo disclosed his new political journey; his new leader, who he claims he finds future, honesty, freedom, respect, humanity, decency, peace and a father.

He later named the UP standard bearer as his new leader.

“And effective as of today’s date, I have become a full-fledge member of the Joseph Boakai Movement and this is where I will stay and join ranks with senior somrades Nyan Mantein, Moncio Robert Kpadeh, R. MantenokayTingban and others foot-soldier,” he said.

He promised to ensure that VP Boakai is President-elect come October 2017, adding that he will work “fearlessly and energetically.”

Azango said his decision is based on the constitution of Liberty Party, tribalism, marginalization, lack of transparency and accountability, amongst others.

The former LP Vice Chairman asserted that the LP constitution is ‘undemocratic’, adding that the party’s laws were singlehandedly drafted by the party political leader.

“The constitution of the Liberty Party is crudely undemocratic, uncivil, despicable and condescending,” he claimed.

“For example: the constitution singlehandedly drafted by the Party Standard Bearer, Cllr. Charles W. Brumskine, gives exclusive power to the political Leader to dissolve the Executive Committee (EC) at will-thus making the political leader a ‘Totalitarian’ against the will, and at the detriment of the others.”

Azango added that Cllr. Brumskine created structure in the party called the executive council adding it usurp the function of Executive Committee.

“So with this unreasonably immense power, Cllr. Brumskine found the courage to create a parallel layer in the LP called the ‘Executive Council’ which has become the highest decision-making body in the party and is usurping the functions of the EC which has ultimately become a toothless bull-dog.

What a ridiculous proceeding and mere shenanigans I can no longer tolerate and bear,” the former LP vice Chair said.

Azango insists the party’s law runs contrary to the spirit and intent of the democracy others labored, sweated and bled for in Liberia, while arguing that tribalism has aggressively crept in the LP.

He stressed that tribalism has taken solid root in the party and has institutionalized.

“If you are not a Bassa man or a Bassa Woman in the LP, you are considered non-essential, inferior and a villain, as such, you do not deserve any respect and least to mention, entitlements,” he said.

Azango: “We have fought against this divisive virus for good sum of time now, but to no avail, simply because ‘Bassolians’ are firmly dominating the ‘center of power’ in the LP, and their benefactor, Cllr.Brumskine remains unbending, undeterred and uncompromising in effectuating his tribal gimmick in the party.

In fact, from what I have experienced, I can safely declare the Liberty Party a ‘Bassa Enterprise’ where other tribes do not have any says.”

He said marginalization is evident in the Liberty party claiming that descending views are not accepted, something he says has corroded the LP in a very disturbing and sickening way.

“Major decisions are made in the party by Cllr. Brumskine and his band of cronies (the Bassa boys) with no reference to and regard for other Executives of the party.

Our views are not solicited neither our suggestions tolerated. What kind of serious political party proceeds in this backward, awkward and delusive manner folks?

The camaraderie in the LP is only between Brumskine and the ‘Bassa Boys’ and lately, the newest kid on the block, Mr. Musa Bility who is pumping some cash in the party,” Azango said.

Azango said there is absolutely no respect for him, as a Vice Chairman for Membership and Recruitment and others with similar stature in the part.

“Only because we are not from the Bassa ethnic tribe that is poised to beat “dumboy” in the Executive Mansion if Brumskine ever won a presidential Election in Liberia( as in the words of Cllr. Brumskine though).

Azango continued: “Let me emphasize that Marginalization &Tribalism is the ‘Play Book’ within the LP which is why more Executives have gotten wearied and frustrated and expected to Part Company with the institution soon and very soon.”

The former Vice Chairman stressed the lack of transparency and accountability in the Liberty Party adding that Cllr. Brumskine is the Perpetrator-in-Chief.

“Brumskine argues that the money is his, but we know that outside sources are pumping resources into the party for the purpose of strengthening the institution to be vibrant but such resources are being directed in Brumskine personal use.”

Azango continues: “What a piece of mischief! Can the LP ever grow under a Brumskine watch? How can such person become president of our country when he can hardly build his own institution?

“So not only that the Counselor is sanctioning malfeasances and dishonesty within the party, he too, commits the act.  What a disturbing shame.”

Azango averred that Brumskine is a ‘White Collar Dictator’ that must never be allowed any inch to our Executive Mansion adding if Liberians dare allow him, the repercussions would be daring and unimaginable.

“He is arrogant, pompous and power desperate. He acts like a ‘superman’ who knows all and has all the solutions and looks down on the others. He has zero-tolerance to dissent and criticism, and has an impulse problem (temperamental).”

Azango furthered:” And the most annoying of all is that, he prefers and demands to be worshiped and hailed at all times by others, and would fiercely reject and dreadfully alienate anyone who is not willing to bow in worship to him.”