FORMER REBEL COMMANDER turned Representative of the outgoing 54th and incoming 55th National Legislature Rep. Yekeh Kolubah frowned on unfolding political developments under the watch of President-elect Joseph N. Boakai. On Sunday, 7 January 2024, Rep. Kolubah lashed out at the President-elect for what he termed possible violations of the Code of Conduct, and leveled allegations against members of Mr. Boakai’s family, inner circle, and supporters’ inappropriate behavior.
IT CAN BE RECALLED that on Sunday, 31 December 2023, President-elect Boakai visited the scene of a tragic gas tanker explosion in Totota, Lower Bong County to express his profound sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives in the fire incident that happened on Tuesday, 26 December 2023. During the visit, Mr. Boakai promised to make ten million Liberian dollars (L$10,000,000) available and donated 200 bags of rice (25kg).
REP. KOLUBAH, a staunch member of the political opposition that campaigned against the outgoing President George M. Weah, and who viciously campaigned for the candidacy of now President-elect Boakai appeared disappointed in unfolding political activities associated with the president-elect. According to Rep. Kolubah, Mr. Boakai before winning the presidential elections was a common bagger after twelve years of serving as Vice President under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He averred that Mr. Boakai couldn’t afford to cater for himself and was assisted by U.S. felon Stanton Witherspoon through the lobby of a Liberian controversial talkshow host Henry Costa.
THE LAWMAKER gave the President-elect seven days to inform the Liberian people where he got the money as he [Boakai] is on public record stating that he lived off of loans and assistance from individuals who decided to assist him in his financial difficulties. Rep. Kolubah cited provisions in the Code of Conduct for public officials that restrict them from receiving certain amounts as gift, especially now that Mr. Boakai is president-elect, and that anything to the contrary is corruption. He also alleged that one of the President-elect’s sons traveled to Lebanon under similar favors. He also accused a relative of Mr. Boakai who has been seen taking money from a prominent Liberian business with the promise of returning favors when the incoming government takes over.
SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS, Rep. Kolubah expressed dismay over Mr. Boakai alignment with U.S. felon found guilty of wired fraud through the sale of fake nursing certificates and subsequently sentenced to 41 months in prison beginning January 31, 2024 mid-day. He is also forfeiting four properties and has also been fined US$3.5 million. He alleged that felon Witherspoon who is the CEO of the SPOON Network alignment with Mr. Boakai was a result of a fallout with the outgoing President Weah who refused to monopolize the rice market in Liberia in favor of felon Witherspoon.
THE LAWMAKER also accused people around the President-elect of being desperate for jobs, engaging in a political witch-hunt, and isolation of the ordinary Liberians who actually campaigned for the President-elect Boakai saying, this is the common people government, not a Lofa nor educated people government. He accused individuals of traveling from abroad to lobby jobs to the detriment of the cyclists, marketers, nurses, and civil servants who put their lives on the line for the Boakai campaign. He warned the Boakai inner circle and family members to slow down or face his political wrath. According to him, no one should claim that the Boakai administration is not already working and that he shouldn’t be told to manage his expectations.
IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN how President-elect Boakai and the United Party will respond to Rep. Kolubah, especially since Rep. Kolubah disclosed that he foresees that the Boakai administration will be worse than the outgoing President Weah’s administration. Moreover, Rep. Kolubah declared that he will not return his family currently residing in India to the country, as he expects political tensions to remain heightened. Is President-elect Boakai and Rep. Kolubah off to a tenuous start?
Dr. Clarence R. Pearson, Sr. is a Liberian clergy and social scientist with strong interest in advancing global peace, human rights, a safe planet, and social equity. He holds a BA in Theology, and MA with distinction from the Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation, University of Liberia. He also graduated with honor from the Louisiana Baptist University and Seminary, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA with A PhD in Psychology and Counseling. Dr. Pearson is a social researcher, an educator, and an author. He has over 29 years of practical professional experience in post-conflict peace-building, recovery, and development with emphasis in both the public and private sector.