By: Frank P. Martin
MONROVIA: Nimba County Senator, Prince Yormie Johnson, alias, “PYJ,” has underscored the need for Liberians at home and abroad to protect the prevailing peace in the country.
PYJ, a former warring faction leader of the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) is seeking reelection to the Liberian Senate for votes-rich Nimba County.
According to the Biometric Voters Registration (BVR) exercise conducted by the National Elections Commission (NEC), for the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections, Nimba County has a total of 308 000 registered voters, making it the second votes-rich county, after Montserrado, which has 914 000 registered voters.
Senator Johnson indicated that Liberia and its people went through many difficulties during the country’s armed conflict that lasted for 14 years.
The Nimba County Senator stressed that it is therefore essential for the Liberian people not to engage in acts of violence and lawlessness which have the potential to undermine the country’s hard-won peace and its stability as a result of political differences, especially as the 10, October, 2023 polls fast approach.
“We do not wish to return to those days when our people were made homeless and faced hunger due to the dire circumstances they faced,” Sen. Prince Johnson emphasized.
PYJ, a Nigeria trained Evangelist indicated that as a “devoted man of God and a Senator, representing the cherished people of Nimba County” his greatest priority is the maintenance of Liberia’s peace in the best interest of all.
“My deep affection for my constituents also compels me to avoid any form of conflict or violence”, PYJ emphasized.
The Nimba County Senator’s latest assertions were made following violent attacks, which he said, were carried out against him during his recent political rallies held in Gbor-Wheiplay, District #4 Nimba County.
The Senator narrated that he had gone to campaign, along with some supporters of the Unity Party (UP), and Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), of which Senator Jeremiah K. Koung, is Political Leader.
Senator Johnson, who is the founder of MDR, a political party, is supporting UP Standard-bearer, and former Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, alias “Rescue 1,” while Senator Koung, alias “Rescue 2,” is the running mate of Ambassador Boakai.
Senator Johnson posted on his Facebook page recently that “In the Town of Gbor-Wheiplay, situated in District 4, Nimba County, I experienced an attack, orchestrated by the Representative of that district, Gunpue L. Kargon. He is no longer the choice of the people due to his selfish representation, disobedient and disrespectful behavior towards the people he represents.”
“I’m the one who helped him achieve his current position. Rep. Gunpue has received over 2 million dollars from the CDC government, which has failed to fulfill its promises to the Liberian people, including the payment of Nimba County’s land rental fees, amounting to US$9 million,” he added.
“This incident occurred during my campaign activities in that Nimba County region, a place I hold dear in my heart. The attacks transpired when our campaign team visited a town, named Sole Vayanglay. Here, CDC supporters, led by the head of the Good Governance Commission, and former representative of District #4, Garrason D. Yealu (my own son, who I propelled into Liberian politics), engaged in a clash with supporters of Rescue 2 and Unity Party Vice Standard Bearer, Hon. Jeremiah Kpan Koung. Unfortunately, this clash resulted in the tragic death of a young man, age, between 22 and 25 years, upon his arrival at the hospital,” Senator Johnson pointed out.
Gunpue L. Kargon and Garrason D. Yealu could not be reached by comments on Senator Johnson’s claims made against them.
However, sources closed to both Kargon and Yealu who prefer anonymity for this report for security reasons indicated it was Garrason D. Yealu who worked with other local officials to restore calm when the violence broke out.
Aloysius G. Bahn, believed to be a member of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), was reportedly stabbed on Monday, August 21, by a man, identified as Baccus Sayeh, believed to be a cousin of Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice Standard Bearer of the Unity Party in Vayenglay Town, Soe Chiefdom, Twah River Administrative District, Nimba County.
The incident was reportedly triggered by a “simple political argument.” It is not clear as it relates to the whereabouts of Baccus Sayeh.
