-Sen. Prince Johnson threatens Nimba County District #4 Rep. Gunpue L Kargon.
By: Jerromie S. Walters
In the realm of politics, tensions can run high, and politicians often engage in heated exchanges and confrontations. But with the current political climate of Liberian (elections period), and the motivations of the individual involved, the threat by SenatorPrince Johnson, Is a direct threat to the physical safety of Representative Gunpue Kargon and comes with a worrisome burden for the lawmaker, his supporters and even the county.
In a leaked audio that appears to be a conversation between Senator Prince Johnson, and Representative Gunpue L Kargonof District #4 of Nimba County, Senator Johnson was heard threatening a revenge on the lawmaker, because of his alleged involvement in an attack he (Senator Johnson experienced on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
“You ordered your people to attack me, I will pay back. I will send people on you,” Senator Prince Johnson told Representative Gunpue Kargon in the leaked audio.
He further stated, “You are in Wheiplay, the meeting your hadwas last night, you are under strict order from George Weah to kill me in the county.”
In response to Senator Johnson’s threat, Representative GunpueL Kargon consistently said he’s solely relying on God, and further maintained that he had no connection with the alleged attack.
“You are attacking me, I have never attached you, all my radio talk shows, everything I have been doing, I been so civil but you continue to fight me papay, but God will fight my battle,” he said.
Arguably, the threat by Senator Johnson comes as a potential threat also on democracy and political processes in the County. As it has been proven countlessly, these threats can undermine democratic principles, erode public confidence in the political system, and hinder effective governance. As every politician has their supporters, there is a huge possibility that whatever the disenchantment might be, they too can take it personal and at the end result, it may escalate from being two men confrontation, to something bigger.
Considering the reaction of Representative Kargon when the threat was made, it speaks to the fact that he has absolutely no plan to counteract whatever it might be, but with the track records of Senator Johnson, it makes it more vivid to understand that the threat needs not to be overlooked.
Senator Prince Johnson reported attack
On Wednesday, August 23, 2023, via his official Facebook page, Senator Prince Johnson alleged that he was attacked by supporters of Representative Gunpue L Kargon, in the town of Gbor-Wheiplay, Nimba County.
“In the town of Gbor-Wheiplay, situated in District #4 of Nimba County, I experienced an attack orchestrated by the representative of that district, Hon Gunpue L Kargon who is no longer the choice of the people due to his selfish representation, disobedient and disrespectful behavior towards the people he represents.”
According to him, the alleged attacks transpired when his campaign team visited a town named “Sole Vayanglay”. “Here, CDC supporters, led by the head of the Good Governance Commission and former representative of that same District #4, Hon. Garrason D. Yealu (my own son, whom I propelled into Liberian politics), engaged in a clash with supporters of Rescue 2 and Unity Party Vice Standard Bearer, Hon. Jeremiah KpanKoung Unfortunately, this clash resulted in the tragic death of a young man aged between 22 and 25 years upon his arrival at the hospital.”
The death of a Cdician in Nimba
On Monday, August 21, 2023, the public was alerted about the brutal stabbing of Mr. Aloysius G. Bahn, a staunch member of the DoldehMovement since 2008 and the ruling CDC, allegedly by two sons of Mr. Baccus Sayeh, cousin of Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice Standard Bearer of the Unity Party in Vayenglay Town, Soe Chiefdom, Twah River Administrative District, Nimba County, over political argument.
In a recent release, the leadership of the Doldeh Movement in Nimba County and sympathizers across Liberia strongly described the death of Mr. Aloysius G. Bahn, as a callous act of insanity calculated and perpetrated by monstrous elements of nature who they believe have no heart, conscience and sense of reasoning.
“On Monday, August 21, 2023, Mr. Aloysius G. Bahn was maliciously, purposefully and dangerously stabbed by two sons of Mr. Baccus Sayeh, cousin of Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice Standard Bearer of the Unity Party in Vayenglay Town, SoeChiefdom, Twah River Administrative District, Nimba County, over simple political argument,” they alleged.
In a statement issued in Monrovia and Nimba County simultaneously on August 23, 2023, the Chairperson of the Movement expressed absolute dismay and frustration at the inhumane monstrosity with which the killers of Bahn viciously ended his life.
The statement is quoted as saying that Atty. Garrison D. Yealueand his family are terribly troubled by this unfortunate situation and have thus instructed the entire membership of the DoldehMovement to stand in solidarity with the bereaved family, whilst the killers are being frantically pursued to answer for their crime. The Movement added that Atty. Yealue has promised to do all within his means and power to ensure that all those responsible for the perpetration of this gruesome act of barbarity meted out against a peaceful member of his Movement are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law.
The Doldeh Movement has also called on the family of Mr. Bahn to remain calm and peaceful, while the issue is being looked into. The Movement notes that the exercise of calmness in a matter like this where a loving member of a family is killed out of stupidity can be a grievous situation to handle, but called on the family to remain put and stable, as the matter is being drastically pursued.
Meanwhile, the Movement is calling on the Liberia National Police to vigorously launch a manhunt for the killers of Mr. Bahn, so that they are made to answer for their crime. We also call on all well-meaning Nimbians to rally forces, join efforts and build grassroots surveillance, especially along the border lines between Liberia and Cote dIvoire, with the purpose of instituting citizens arrest for the suspects who are cowardly running into hiding.
The Doldeh Movement is made to believe that the recent inciting statement made by leaders of the Unity Party, especially former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, may have prompted the actions of their followers. It is quite unfortunate that the former ruling Unity Party and its Standard Bearer who claim to be peaceful and law abiding, would now provoke their followers into stabbing peaceful citizens on accounts of mere political disagreements.
The Movement ended that whilst the quest for political power is ongoing, the Unity Party and their followers must note that no amount of blood sharing can compensate for their election to political offices in Liberia.
“We therefore call on former Vice President Boakai and his followers to campaign on the merits of the issues and stop inflicting harm and destruction on the very people they claim their quest is intended to rescue.”
It continued, “We do not rescue by killing and intimidating peaceful souls!”
