”I am Carrying the Burdens”, UP Chairman Rev. Luther Tarpeh Speaks Out as Partisans Protest against President Boakai’s Appointments
By: Sylvester Choloplay
Paynesville, Liberia – February 3, 2024: Unity Party (UP) National Chairman Rev. Luther Tarpeh has spoken out against the disappointments faced by numerous Unity Party (UP)and other political parties’ partisans who stood the struggle but found themselves unemployed yet indirectly following President Joseph Boakai’s recent government appointments.
The chairman’s powerful statement, “I’m Carrying the Burdens,” resonates with the frustration felt by party members who had the hope for government positions through their political leaders who they thought would have been appointed President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
President Boakai’s recent appointments have drawn criticisms for allegedly favoring individuals from abroad, leaving dedicated UP leaders who actively campaigned during election times, without roles in the government.
This perceived nepotism has sparked public outcry, leading to protests organized by partisans outside the President’s residence in Rehab County, Paynesville.
According to the partisans, their concerns have been for their President (President Boakai) to appoint UP and other political Leaders like the UP National Chairman who they think is more than qualified and with huge followers (from different political parties, not only the Unity Party) to employ.
But, Chairman Rev. Luther Tarpeh, while denying any role in orchestrating the protests, emphasized that he carries the burdens of the partisans who feel overlooked. “People think I’m the one coercing the partisans to carry out protests but I am not; however, I’m the one carrying the party’s (UP) burdens,” he stated when hundreds of partisans including motorcyclists from the Motorcycle and Tricycle Union of Liberia heads who were seen petitioning the UP National Chairman to have their party leaders including him appointed in the Boakai-led Government.
The UP and other political party’s partisans stormed the grounds of Chairman Tarpeh’s residence in Paynesville on Friday, February 2, 2024.
The protests shed light on the growing discontent within the UP, with members demanding fair representation for those who contributed significantly to the party’s success.
As the situation unfolds, President Boakai faces the challenge of addressing these grievances to restore harmony within the UP and mitigate the potential impact on Liberia’s political landscape.
“You have your rights to express your disappointments but do it in an orderly manner. Don’t Worry about me I’m Ok” Rev. Tarpeh spoke to the Partisans who also went to protest at the President’s residence.
The UP Chairman further stated, “All of us paid the price for Joseph Boakai to become President. Some of you took off the challenge during the campaign, some of you were threatened. We’ll want him to succeed, it’s too early; I know how you feel and it’s your right to go to him to tell him how you feel. Let it be known that the main bosses are the People and once the people are not happy the leader will not go well. We made the President and he’ll listen to us”
The National Unity Party Chairman who also lost his house to fire (his house gutted fire) during election period cautioned the UP supporters, who were seen dominated with motorcyclists, to remain calm as it is very early for protests and complaints.
Chairman Tarpeh then donated forty (40) 25kg bags of rice and one hundred twenty Liberian Dollars (120,000.00 LRD) to the UP supporters to take care of themselves in the meantime.
