THERE IS SOMETHING deeply troubling about the direction in which the Unity Party-led government is heading—and it goes beyond politics. It’s about principle. It’s about the law. And, most importantly, it’s about trust.
LIBERIANS DID NOT fight for democracy only to witness those in power bend the rules to suit their political interests. Yet, that’s precisely what seems to be happening.
THE BOAKAI-KOUNG administration is operating in stark contrast to its stated commitment to uphold the rule of law. Its recent decision to deploy presidential appointees to campaign in Nimba County for Unity Party-backed senatorial candidate Samuel Kogar is a blatant violation of the Code of Conduct.
LET’S BE CLEAR about what the law says. Article 5.1 of the Code of Conduct Act states:
All officials appointed by the President of the Republic of Liberia shall not: a) Engage in political activities, canvass or contest for elected office; b) Use government facilities, equipment or resources in support of partisan or political activities; c) Serve on a campaign team of any political party or the campaign of any independent candidate.
THIS LAW WAS not crafted by accident—it was established to ensure accountability and to prevent the misuse of public office and resources for political gain.
RECENTLY, TWO TOP government officials—Mohammed Ali, Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), and Amos Tweh, Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC)—were seen actively engaging in political campaigns while still holding appointed government positions.
LET’S BE HONEST: They weren’t acting as private citizens. They were representing the administration—and they were breaking the law.
THE CODE OF CONDUCT is crystal clear: appointed officials are prohibited from participating in political campaigns unless they resign at least two years in advance. This is not a technicality. It is the law—intended to prevent the very abuse we are witnessing, where state officials use their positions and influence to tip the political scales.
WHAT MAKES THIS even more disheartening is that the Unity Party knows better.
THIS IS THE same kind of behavior it vehemently condemned during the Weah administration. Back then, it was labeled unethical, illegal, and wrong—and rightly so. So why is it suddenly acceptable now?
YOU CANNOT CAMPAIGN on the platform of accountability and then remain silent when your own officials violate the very laws you once championed.
THAT IS NOT LEADERSHIP. That is hypocrisy. It is especially hypocritical given the Unity Party’s fierce criticism of the Weah administration for failing to appoint an ombudsman to enforce the Code of Conduct. Now, President Boakai has appointed an ombudsman, and the office has begun fulfilling its mandate—which includes enforcement, oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of the Code of Conduct.
THE LAW EMPOWERS the Office of the Ombudsman to receive and investigate all complaints related to the Code. When a violation is found, the law requires the ombudsman to submit the case to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) or other appropriate government agencies.
IN THIS LIGHT, we commend the Citizen Movement for Change (CMC), led by Representative Musa H. Bility of District #7, Nimba County, for taking the right step—filing a formal complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman, urging an investigation into these violations.
AT FRONTPAGE AFRICA, we applaud this act of civic responsibility. And now, the burden lies with the Office of the Ombudsman to do its job. We call on its chairperson, Cllr. Findley Karngar, to leave no stone unturned. That is your duty. That is why you are paid with taxpayers’ money.
WE ALSO CALL on President Boakai to act. The ball is in your court. This is your chance to prove that your government is truly different—to match your words with action. Turn away from the “blind eye” syndrome.
THE SILENCE FROM the Executive Mansion is deafening—and dangerous. It sends the message that certain officials are above the law.
IF THE PRESIDENT truly believes in good governance, now is the time to show it.
LIBERIANS DESERVE BETTER. We deserve a government that upholds the law even when it is inconvenient. We deserve public servants who remember that they work for the people—not for a political party.
WE KNOW WHAT corruption looks like. We’ve lived through it. That’s why this moment matters. This isn’t just about a campaign violation—it’s about whether our leaders believe they are above the law.
AND IF NOTHING is done, if this violation is swept under the rug, it sends the unfortunate message that Liberian politicians only speak out against wrongdoing when they are not in power—only to repeat the same wrongs once they are.
THAT’S NOT THE change Liberians fought for.
WE AT FRONTPAGE AFRICA join the Liberian public in saying: No, we will not accept this. This is not what we voted for. We call on President Boakai to demonstrate real leadership and let the rule of law prevail.
