Says He Is ‘Guilty By Association’
By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor in Monrovia
Liberia’s Vice President and Standard Bearer of the governing Unity Party said he being prosecuted [in the court of public opinion] because of his association with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He admits that there is a serious bad blood between him and his boss.
Appearing on the Henry Costa Show in Monrovia Monday, December 18, in Monrovia, Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai said people that are being considered opposition to President Sirleaf are in top positions of the Unity Partys. He said he is being political prosecuted because he is close to those who oppose the President in the Party.
He named Chairman Emeritus of the ruling establishment and Senator for Grand s Mount County Varney Sherman and current UP’s Chairman Wilmot Paye as two of the people who have brought rift between him and his old friend.
“The president and I started our friendship back in the days of the 60s at the College of West Africa where I was both janitor and student. In fact, I took care of her children and her husband knew me very well because of the close relationship; she encouraged me to have worked with Finance Ministry when she was the deputy minister, but recommended a friend. So, our relationship is not today’s thing. I’m guilty simply by association. People like Cllr. Varney Sherman and Wilmot Paye who are considered as opposition and are leaders in the party, they are my friend. As leader, you have to be a good follower which I have done in the case of the President,” he said.
Since the declaration of the Vice President Boakai interest for the nation’s presidency, there have been reports of intraconflicts between supporters of the President Sirleaf and those of Vice President Boakai within the Unity Party.
The Vice President further noted his friendship with Madam Sirleaf later developed into family relationship, but noted it became surprising for him to be treated the way things are going, especially for his presidential bid.
Boakai also used the time to explain he had lobbied with some of his friends in London, Great Britain, for the establishment of sports program and his friends have reportedly generated about US$6 million for the program, but the Education Minister George Werner stopped the program for no reason.
He told the public he complained the Education Minister to President Johnson Sirleaf but to present there is no action being taken against the Minister.
Commenting on the fight on corruption, Boakai said his government will not compromise corruption. He said he will only serve for one term. But President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf told the Liberian people in 2005 general and presidential elections that she would have stayed in power for one term. She broke the promised and has stayed in power for two terms.
“Anyone who wants to steal should find somewhere else, our administration will combat corruption and government’s work is not about stealing but service,” he said.
