By Emmanuel wise Jipoh
President George Weah has again accused Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson of denying or downplaying interests of the Nimba people while pushing his personal goals.
President Weah says this has led to the U.S.-sanctioned Senator, who supported his election to the Presidency in 2017, making a U-turn and instead, entering a marriage with former Vice President Joseph Nyumah of the opposition Unity Party, against his (Weah’s) reelection.
The United States Department of Treasury designated Senator Johnson in 2021 for votes-buying. “As a senator, Johnson has been involved in pay-for-play funding with government ministries and organizations for personal enrichment,” a statement issued by the U.S. Treasury said.
Addressing thousands of Nimbaians, when he stormed Gompa City, Nimba straight from Lofa County in continuation of his campaign trail, President Weah notes that Senator Johnson is focused on seeking the interest of his immediate family, something, he says has gone unnoticed by the people of Nimba.
He says the Senator, who carries himself as godfather, of Nimba politics, is now bent on hindering the growth and prosperity of the county.
“Today, I say to you Nimba County will never be the same again in our second term, gone are those days when one person will come on behalf of Nimba County, seeking jobs, development, education, and inherit it for [himself] and [his] family; I say to you those days are over”, the President declares.
He reveals that Senator Johnson has always gone to him on behalf of the Nimba people for job opportunities to send children to school, only to take everything for himself.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]
“If you want to select somebody for appointment, they’ll be the first to bring the list and documents, seeking their own interest, and if you say no, they get vexed, and say they are going to support the other people. Those things cannot work on me anymore”, Mr. Weah adds.
He continues that this has led Senator PYJ frustrated and to withdraw support from his second term bid.
“People are not committed to their people, but only committed to themselves, and I’m the President, and I care for everyone, not a single individual, who will come in the name of a county and take on their own behalf.”
Meanwhile, President Weah shakes up Nimba County, when he storms the Gompa Sports Stadium in a presidential campaign rally, assuring citizens of more developments and expressing confidence in them to give him a second term to enable him leave a legacy after his departure.
“I say to you Nimba County, you did it before; you can do it again. You voted for me in 2005; voted our Candidate Winston Tubman in 2011, and voted me again in 2017 and did not let us down, and we too will not disappoint you” he promises.
“They said the ‘Insignificant President’, if you make him President, he is significant, so I have confidence in you; you will vote me”, the former football icon-turned-politician concludes. Editing by Jonathan Browne
