MONROVIA: Two former allies are not happy with each other following the infamous April 6, 1996 fracas when former World Best Footballer, George Manneh Weah, now President of Liberia properties on the 9th street were destroyed by the civil conflict.
Reports had it that both President Weah and Reginald Goodridge were good of friends in yesteryears, especially during the erstwhile Transitional eras in the 1990s, when Goodgridge was publishing Magazine in the United States.
According to the report, Mr. Goodridge was hired by Weah’s then, manager, to promote Weah internationally during the 1995 World Best Footballer festival.
The reports added that Mr. Goodridge promoted Weah in various influential global media outlets including BBC, VOA, New York Times, Super-Sports among others, as a result, Weah was selected that year.
But soon their friendship got sour when the ‘April 6’ 1996 Street fighting broke out, thus affecting Weah’s property in Sinkor.
However, tension seems to be building up again between the two friends (Weah and Goodridge). Sources familiar with the tension allegedly involving the two men it became visible during the recent signing ceremony of the Farmington River Peace Pact by Liberia’s political parties, civil society organizations and stakeholders for the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections in the country.
Following the ceremony, Mr. Goodridge who represented a conglomeration of over six political parties, known as Rainbow Alliance, complained of President Weah’s comments against his personality.
The Rainbow Alliance Standard Bearer, Reginald Goodridge, said he is filing a US$27 million lawsuit against President George Weah upon his rejection in the October 10 Presidential and Legislative elections.
Currently, President Weah enjoys certain Presidential immunities, under the Liberian laws, which exempt him from certain judicial processes; Goodridge added that the lawsuit will take effect against Mr. Weah and members of his family after they shall have left power.
The US$27 million lawsuits threat against the President is in direct response to reports that the Liberian leader openly insulted Mr. Goodridge of the Rainbow Alliance, calling him a ‘rouge’ in the presence of Mrs. Clar Weah, Lusinee Kamara of ALCOP and Rev. David Kemue of the Democratic People’s Party and others, at the Farmington’s declaration program.
“At about 3:00 Pm on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, following the signing of the Revised Farmington River Declaration at the Farmington Hotel, I was approached in an aggressive manner by the President of Liberia, Mr. George Manneh Weah.
He said to me, “Goodridge, are you enjoying democracy in Liberia? I was surprised by the question and lost for words,” said the Rainbow Alliance flag-bearer.
“I moved away from the President. He approached me again, and repeated the question several times, “Goodridge, I say, ehn you enjoying democracy in Liberia? Before I could find an answer, he said to me, “Look at you. You are a rogue. You stole my car and burned down my house. I responded to the President that what he had said was a lie, and there was an intense exchange of words between.”
Addressing a news conference Thursday in Monrovia, Mr. Goodridge said he has also filed a complaint of the President’s action with the Ministry of Justice, the National Elections Commission, and other international organizations in Liberia.
Goodridge believed that his life is at risk for taking bold stand against the George Weah led administration which he noted, continues to thrive on lies, violence and ineptitude in the last six years .
He recounted how 43 years ago, men from decent families in Liberia were falsely accused of rampant corruption, “they were subject to a mockery trial by a kangaroo court and executed like animals.”
According to him, President Weah is allegedly repeating the same deadly tactics on him and his family.
He said if President Weah is allowed to succeed, he will come after other leaders in the opposition community because, according to him, the President knows that the days of his failed presidency are numbered.
Goodridge: “I am today informing the Liberian people that I will file a lawsuit in the courts of Liberia against Mr. Weah for ‘Libel’ and ‘Defamation’ of character; and I will be seeking a remedy of US$27 million United States Dollars in damages.
We are aware that Mr. Weah is immune from certain judicial processes from the lower courts, due to executive privileges as President of Liberia. But we will file this case, keep it on the record and patiently wait until Mr. Weah leaves office, which we expect will be sooner than later.”
The Rainbow Alliance political leader intimated that others in the cycle of the Presidency risk similar lawsuit if they repeat the false allegations and blatant lies against him.
Count 6 and 8 of the Revised Farmington River Declaration document among other things frowned on stakeholders issuing statements that have the potential to cause harm to the peace and democracy of the state.
Count 6: “Refrain from making or causing to make in our names or that of our party, or coalition, any public statements, pronouncements, declarations or speeches, or use of language, online or offline, that have the propensity to incite any form of violence or intimidation and human rights abuses before during and after elections….
Count 8: “Refrain from on an offline disinformation, fake news and online manipulation that will influence or polarize public opinion or promote skepticism towards the electoral process and institutions and in the end. Undermine the integrity of the democratic process,” said the peace accord document.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Deputy Presidential Press Secretary Smith Toby rubbished the claims and said the office of the President will not give Mr. Goodridge the kind of relevance he is seeking.
