By Dan Martin
MONROVIA: An investigation conducted by The ‘Investigative’ INDEPENDENT Newspaper has uncovered what appears to be a well calculated and underground political plan by some powerful and influential members of the 55th National Legislature to take full control of the 2025 National Budget and beyond aimed at building a strong financial machinery as part of their preparations for the 2029 Presidential and Legislative Elections.
According to our investigation, the concerned lawmakers include Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung who hails from votes-rich Nimba County; Bong County Senator, Prince Moye; Margibi County Senator, Emmanuel Nuaqua; and Montserrado County Representative, Thomas Fallah, who is also Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Our investigation also established that the current leadership tussle in the House of Representatives is aimed at removing House Speaker, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, perceived to be a political outsider who may not support the calculated political plan ahead of the crucial 2029 Presidential and Legislative elections.
There is also confidential report that Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung is eying the coveted Liberian Presidency as incumbent President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, 80, may likely not seek a second six-year term due to age and other factors.
Highly placed and well-connected political insiders hinted that during the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections, the same “2029 elections virus” caused the then ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), of former President George Manneh Weah to lost narrowly to the then opposition Unity Party Alliance by less than 30,000 votes. Insiders said Weah’s then ‘kitchen cabinet’ members were playing similar 2029 political game as to who will replace Weah when he earlier expressed his desire not contest in 2029 elections.
The expression by Weah triggered widespread speculations that former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, Montserrado County Senator Saah Joseph and other top CDCians were eying the Presidency as Weah’s replacement.
Insiders say, today, Liberia’s political landscape has been awash by quest for the Nation’s Presidency as senior members of governing Unity Party (UP), with support of some high-profile opposition politicians are hunting for much-needed cash in preparation for the 2029 elections, if the ruling UP is to put anyone forward as incumbent President Boakai seems determined not to seek re-election.
Despite their respective positions as Lawmakers, these politicians, it has been gathered, are heavily influenced the political decisions of the Executive Branch.
This situation, insiders say, is responsible for the creation of the prevailing atmosphere of tension, lawlessness, violence, desecration of the rule of law including demonstration of gross disrespect of judicial rulings even at the detriment of the vast majority of ordinary citizens who are being severely impacted by such political decisions.
Due to the glaring lack of control over the President’s decisions, the government is gradually sliding away from democracy to autocracy, according to James Peters, student of economics and political science as it relates to the governance of the country since Boakai ascended to the Nation’s Presidency, 22, January, 2024.
As President of Liberia, according to keen observers, Boakai seems to be finding it difficult to manage the affairs of the country, considering his much taunted 40 years of experience in public service.
As he turned 80 in November, the Boakai-led administration is engulfed with internal fight which is undermining every significant development project his administration initiates.
One report had it that due to the ‘2029 political virus,’ Vice President Koung is pushing to control all aspects of the government.
Vice President Koung tactically controls state security various top security agencies including the Liberian Drugs Enforcement Agency, National Security Agency, among others ahead of 2029.
A prominent economist hinted this paper that President Boakai has lost track of the development plan for Liberia, as many decisions he (Boakai) tries implement to make Liberia a better place are being hijacked by these powerful politicians in his government.
For instance, insiders also confided that issues surrounding the ‘yellow machines,’ the removal of motorcyclists and petroleum sellers from the streets were undermined by the Vice President for political reasons.
The challenge as regards assets declaration is part of the ‘2029 Political Virus’ as the President’s persistent warnings and orders to public officials have been ignored by these officials who said to be loyal to these powerful politicians. The insiders added that the President seems to have no full controls over these officials.
Even in the much heralded 2025 National Draft Budget, allotment to the office of Vice President Koung is more than the President’s allotment by over US$300,000, although no official reason has been given such unprecedented budgetary allotment.
Although, President Boakai has declared his assets but the bulk of the officials are yet to declare theirs.
For instance, President Boakai is yet to complete the formation of his government as the appointment of several county officials have stalled at the Legislature because some of the Presidential nominees are being opposed by their county lawmakers for apparent lack prior consultations with them.
But as the ‘2029 Political Virus’ holds strong grounds in the Boakai administration, its current fight to remove House Speaker, Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa, it seems the same Virus is spreading to Liberia Senate as members of that august body are said to be soliciting signatures for the removal of the Pro-Tempore, Madam Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence for total control of the Legislature.
But how the 80- year old President, who will clock 85 by 2029 can disentangle himself from effects of the ‘2029 Political Virus’ that has plunged the country into serious political crisis is what the public is wondering over.
