By: Varney Dukuly
MONROVIA: With Nimba County’s charismatic Senator and former warlord, Prince Y. Johnson facing US sanctions imposed by the Treasury Department, keen political and diplomatic observers believe that the timing of his support to any would be Liberian politician or political leader may also expose such politician to US sanctions as well.
Senator Johnson widely referred to as the “political God-Father” of votes-rich Nimba and a noted “Kingmaker” has already declared on social media that he would support an opposition victory against incumbent President George Manneh Weah, his onetime political bedfellow.
The Nimba Senator made the declaration on his official facebook on Friday, April 7, 2023, in a post that ended with, “Lastly, Senator Jeremiah Kpan Koung has my fullest support at every level of these conversations in those engagements with the opposition including the Unity Party.”
Hours prior to Senator Johnson’s post, a local daily, the New Dawn, in its Friday’s April 7, 2023 edition indicated that Senator Johnson was contemplating returning to the Congress of Democracy Change- (CDC) and may likely take Sen. Koung with him.
“Firstly, the Publication is untrue and far from reality, as lead Vision Bearer & Governing Council Chair Of the Movement For Democracy and Reconstruction, we have made absolutely no decision to return to the ruling party,” the Senator said.
An apologist for Senator Johnson, Bill Zarweah, inked beneath the post that the airway is now clear while at the same time asking for the next propaganda from ‘our men in the blue.’
Since the clarification by Johnson who strongly believes that the people of Nimba have not benefited from President Weah’s appointments in government, relative to state positions, the ruling Grand Coalition for Democratic Change is yet to give its reaction.
Some supporters of the ruling Coalition (CDC) have however criticized Senator Johnson’s post. “Absolutely, no way papa, Nimbains are different people in this election,” said Bill Malema Wonta II.
One of the people commented by saying Liberia is not ready for any change yet, except power.
Another commentator, Nyan Miatorgbay, said “CDC will be retained for this reason.”
Senator Johnson who will not contest the Liberian Presidency apparently due to the imposition of sanctions against him by the world’s most power democracy, USA, is leading his MDR officials to the opposition after years in political ‘love-bed’ with the Weah’s administration.
He has been deeply anxious about his prospect with the main opposition Unity Party which is reportedly expected to pick his number two, Senator Jeremiah Koung of Nimba County. Interestingly however, Johnson once attempted to seek senator post on UP ticket, but he never succeeded, thus prompting him, then, to contest as an independent candidate for the Senate, a position which he won overwhelmingly in Nimba.
“Additionally, it is important to reemphasize that, upon our Ganta convention fortnight ago, we initiated a National conversation with several Opposition parties including the Unity Party, these conversations are genuine and those conversations are gradually taking substantial shape,” he announced on facebook.
He told his supporters, “Today, let me reassure my supporters and admirers that, I firmly support the opposition Unity and CDC is no option in these conversations.”
Meanwhile, one of the major warnings that occasioned the US sanction on Liberian government officials cited that anyone found doing business with those on sanctions may themselves face US biting sanctions.
Among other things, the move the US said is intended to deter corrupt officials from injuring the ordinary Liberian people by siphoning public resources.
The Nimba County Senator stands accused by Washington of involvement in ‘pay for play’ corruption for his personal benefits at the detriment of the people of Nimba by heavily influencing their decisions at the polls through bribery.
Political commentators say, Senator Johnson support to the Unity Party of former Vice President Joseph Boakai and those in the opposition is a signal of doing business with them, something that may expose JNB and others to US sanctions.
Other keen observers who are familiar with PYJ type of politicking said Liberians should reflect on how he (Johnson), during Liberia’s civil war era nominated Dr. Peter L. Naigow to serve as Vice President to former Interim President, Dr. Amos Claudius Sawyer, of the erstwhile Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU). Few Months later, Johnson demanded Dr. Naigow’s immediate resignation from Sawyer’s IGNU, thus making Dr. Sawyer to lead the IGNU for nearly four years without a vice President.
