By: H. Richard Fallah
MONROVIA: The Chairman of the opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC) of Mr. Alexander B. Cummings and Senator of Gbarpolu County, Daniel Naatehn is dead.
According to the Liberian Senate Director of Press, Mr. Alfred Johnson, the Gbarpolu County Senator died in India where he has been seeking advanced medical treatments.
The cause of death of the fallen statesman still remains unknown, as the Liberian Senate has promised to give details information surrounding his death in a short time.
Naatehn was among several Senators who were pronounced winners in a Special Senatorial election by former chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Cllr. Jerome George Korkoya, on Saturday December 20, 2014.
He won the election that year on the Unity Party’s ticket with three thousand, nine hundred, sixty-two (3, 962) votes, which constituted 34.3%.
However, the Senator who served for two constitutional terms for the county, switched allegiance to the ANC and rose to the rank of national chairman, a position he held up to his demise.
Senator Naatehn, who also held the position of chairman on the Senate Committee on Transport, was seeking re-election on October 10, 2023.
His untimely demise comes just after completing his second term in the Senate as the Senator of Gbarpolu County.
Meanwhile, commenting on the death of his party Chairman, ANC standard bearer, Alexander B. Cummings described Senator Naatehn as a loyal partner whose services will not be forgotten in the party.
Cummings: “Chairman Naatehn, as he was affectionately called, passed away today, August 8 in India. I was fortunate to speak with him 3 days ago and was praying for a full recovery. I have spoken to his children including his son Daniel Jr, and extended the collective sympathies of the party and my family.”
Mr. Cummings who is also the political leader of the Collaborating political parties (CPP), said, that the Alternative National Congress and the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) will take the necessary actions to mourn and honor the legacy of Senator Naatehn, including a 48hr moratorium on all of its political activities.
The ANC standard bearer also used the time to call on all party executives, partisans, supporters, family, and friends to join in prayers for the departed leader and his family.
“I will truly miss my brother, my friend and a loyal partner on this political journey,” he said.
On the other hand, Unity Party’s standard bearer and former Vice President of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, said the legacy of the fallen Senator will forever be etched in his memory.
Ambassador Boakai noted that Senator Naatehn demonstrated a remarkable ability to transcend party boundaries and affiliations, recalling that he received an unwavering support from the Senator during the 2017 presidential elections.
Boakai: “I have just received the somber news of the passing of Senator Daniel Naathen, a ranking member of the Alternative National Congress and a prominent Senatorial Candidate, representing the CPP in Gbarpolu County; in this time of sorrow, our hearts reach out to Sen. Naathen’s beloved wife, children, and the entire ANC family.”
“The loss of this esteemed statesman is deeply felt, and we extend our profound condolences, standing in solidarity during this difficult period,” he noted.
The Gbarpolu County Senator was seen on the last day when the Liberian Senate closed for break due to the upcoming elections which are just sixty-two (62) days away.
Senator Naatehn was a soft-spoken lawmaker, who was most times seen debating issues on the Senate floor.
