IPNEWS: Violent clashes between rival parties erupted early Monday, morning in the borough of New Kru town after some Elders rejected and disrupted the induction of Robert B. Teah as Governor of the Borough.
It may be recalled President Joseph Boakai appointed Robert B. Teah as Governor of the populated Borough of New Kru Town early April 2024 but has come under sustained resistance from some elders of the Borough.
The protesters set ablaze tires and blocked all intersections into the Borough preventing the free flow of ambulance and other vehicles into the area.
Teah who is widely popular among the youthful population of the Borough.
The induction ceremony of Mr. Teah was disrupted by the protesters from elders of the six nominating districts.
Even though there was heavy police presence, yet the aggrieved elders were seen in their traditional clothing parading the main premises of the Borough Cooperation Hall, chanting war-like slogans that they cannot sit and allow their heritage to be destroyed by President Joseph Boakai.
The aggrieved elders told IPNEWS that they cannot accept Robert Teah as Governor of the Borough despite his nomination by the President and subsequent confirmation by the Liberian Senate.
The elders claimed that President Boakai has grossly violated the act that created the Borough of New Kru Town by nominating Robert Teah without the selection process of the elders.
It may be recalled, early April 2024, Elders of the Borough of New Kru Town expressed outrage over President Joseph Boakai’s appointment in their area.
The elders representing the six nominating districts within the Borough of New Kru Town vehemently denounced President Joseph Boakai’s recent appointment of Robert B. Teah as Governor, labeling it a blatant disregard for both the people and the longstanding traditions of the Borough.
In a candid interview on Monday, April 22, 2024, Madam Comfort Toe, Chairperson of the Six Nominating Districts, asserted that President Boakai’s decision constitutes a flagrant violation of the Borough’s governing legislation.
She clarified that the established act indicates that the authority to appoint a governor lies solely with the elders of the six nominating districts, who then submit their nominee to the president for formal appointment, a process they should claimed was overlooked in the recent appointment.
Furthermore, Madam Toe emphasized that the elders are unified in their refusal to recognize Mr. Teah as the Borough’s new Governor until proper adherence to the law and tradition governing the appointment process is observed.
They are adamantly urging President Boakai to retract Mr. Teah’s appointment and ensure compliance with the established procedures.
Addressing internal tensions among the elders regarding the selection of the next governor, Madam Toe acknowledged the presence of discord and urged President Boakai to intervene and facilitate a resolution in accordance with the Borough’s governing act.
Adding to the outcry, several elders condemned Representative Dixon Seboe for allegedly exacerbating the division within the Borough.
They accused him of endorsing an illegitimate selection process that supported Wleh Wleh Koffa as the chosen governor, contrary to the elders’ consensus.
The elders vehemently opposed Representative Seboe’s actions and demanded that he refrain from promoting Mr. Koffa as the elected governor.
Allegations suggest that Representative Seboe, upon learning of President Boakai’s appointment, advocated for Mr. Koffa’s candidacy at the home of House Speaker Cllr. Fonati Koffa.
However, the elders condemned this as a blatant disregard for their authority and issued a stern warning for Representative Seboe to adhere to proper procedures.
The elders called for an end to political manipulation and urged both Representative Seboe and President Boakai to prioritize adherence to lawful procedures in the selection of the Borough’s governor, thereby averting potential future conflicts and disharmony.
