Step-aside

The political leader of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction Senator Prince Y. Johnson has warned those named in the Global Witness Report especially Speaker Alex Tyler, Representative Henry B. Fahnbulleh of Montserrado, Senators Varney Sherman of Grand Cape Mount and Morris Saytumah of Bomi Counties respectively to step aside from all legislative functions until the bribery case before the Criminal ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice come to an end.

Speaking on a local radio, Prime FM Tuesday, Sen. Johnson said that it is unfortunate and embarrassing for senior government officials to be linked to bribery internationally. He said this is something morally required by Speaker Tyler and the rest to do, to bring sanity to that body.

Sen.Johnson also wondered why efforts by some lawmakers to asking Speaker Tyler to step aside was abandoned. “We are hearing that there were money that exchanged hands to help the speaker stay on board. I am wondering as to whether those who were making the call for the speaker to step aside were also bribed? Because it was reported in the media that some lawmakers were bribed to allow the speaker to remain as presiding officer. We call on the speaker, Sherman and the rest to step aside as a sign of best practice for the growing democracy of our country,” he said.

Lawmakers seeking Tyler’s resignation include; Representatives Edwin Melvin Snowe, Acarous Gray, Julius Berrien, Thomas Fallah of Montserrado, Samuel Kokai, Sawah of Nimba and Gabriel Buchanan Smith of Grand Bassa Counties.

“What was done to me in 2013, should be applied to others, they should not wait until the ruling from the court. They should build the courage to step aside. What is good for Paul, John and Peter, it should also be good for James,” he said.

The plenary of the Senate immediately requested Sen. Johnson to step aside as chairman on National Defense, Intelligence, Veteran Affairs or he face expulsion, when he was accused of advising, Police Director Chris Massaquoi not to attend a Senate Contempt hearing.

According to him, he will write the plenary of the senate asking Senator Sherman and Saytumah to step aside until the prosecution can come to an end. However, the Chairman of Tyler’s political party, Lofa County Representative Moses Kollie, says Sen. Johnson has no moral authority to ask any government official to step down from office.

He claimed that the Senator is wanted for his role in regional civil wars and should not engage in arguments on morals.

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor -Edited by Othello B. Garblah