By Lincoln G. Peters
Liberia Maritime Authority Commissioner General Lenn Eugene Nagbe says Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence’s endorsement of Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s presidential ticket has no value attached.
Appearing as a guest on state radio ELBC Wednesday, 17 May 2023, Commissioner Nagbe said Senator Karnga-Lawrence has repeatedly endorsed Amb. Boakai, and yet he has not won the presidency.
“Let me tell you, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence is known as [an] endorsements champion so that has nothing on us,” the former Information Minister said.
“Therefore, her endorsement is of no news and effect to the CDC [Coalition for Democratic Change] because Nyonblee has endorsed Boakai over four times during [the] elections period, yet he hasn’t won a single seat.”
On Sunday, 14 May 2023, Senator Karnga-Lawrence endorsed Amb. Boakai and Senator Jeremiah Koung’s presidential ticket for the pending October presidential and legislative elections.
Mr. Boakai, standard bearer of the former ruling Unity Party (UP) is the main rival to incumbent President George Manneh Weah.
Boakai lost the 2017 presidential run-off election to Mr. Weah, but over the years tried to get other opposition parties and leaders back his second try for the presidency.
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He finally succeeded this Sunday to win back Madam Karnga-Lawrence and her kinsman, Montserrado County Senator Darius Dillon who initially felt let down by Boakai’s decision to pick Koung as his running mate instead of Nyonblee.
But Mr. Nagbe said the CDC regime is not moved by Nyonblee’s endorsement of the Boakai-Koung ticket.
“Let me remind you, Senator Karnga-Lawrence endorsed Amb. Boakai second round 2005, second round 2017, along with 19 senators, one-time last year, and twice this 2023,” said Nagbe.
Additionally, Commissioner Nagbe said calling Senator Karnga-Lawrence ‘Rescue Mother’ has no logic because all her years in the Senate, she has not rescued anything in the interest of the Liberian people.
“They are all presenting themselves as a rescue. What their records have not shown? The difference I foresee in the 2017 and 2023 elections is that President Weah will win all the fifteen counties in Liberia instead of fourteen counties, and [leave] one out to Joseph Boakai,” Mr. Nagbe claimed.
He noted that the CDC regime is focusing on showcasing the president’s records to the Liberian people as the election approaches, instead of making empty noise on the street.
He also accused Montserrado County Electoral District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah of doing nothing for his people in his district other than allegedly insulting President Weah’s mother.
Mr. Kolubah is a fierce critic of President Weah and his CDC officials.
According to Nagbe, Boakai’s running mate Mr. Koung can not even win a seat properly in Ganta, Nimba county.
“If it wasn’t for the CDC, in the 2020 legislative elections, Edith Gongloe Weh would have won Koung with a wide margin. So we are not bothered by him going as Boakai’s running mate,” Mr. Nagbe continued.
Further, the Maritime Boss claimed that President Weah’s former political ally, Nimba Senator Prince Y. Johnson is also on shaky ground.
He alleged that Johnson’s situation is out of fear because the CDC will field a candidate against him in Nimba in this year’s election.
Nagbe boasted that the long-serving Nimba Senator will not maintain his seat.
At the same time, Nagbe noted that President Weah did not promise Senator Johnson anything privately other than what he is doing for the people in Nimba County. He said it is Johnson’s right to endorse whomever he pleases.
