By: Jerromie S. Walters
Nimba County District #4 Representative Rep. Gonpue L. Kargon has allegedly been subjected to an investigation by the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) of Senators Prince Y. Johnson and Jeremiah Kpan Koung for reportedly receiving a huge sum of money from the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) to induce influential Nimbaians to support the election bid of President George Weah.
However, the MRD and Nimba County District #4 lawmaker have denied the allegations, describing them as totally untrue.
As disclosed by reports, Rep. Kargon, an official of the MDR, has received US$72,000 and L$30 million to purchase CDC campaign materials and to also give a portion of it to chiefs, elders, youth, and women’s group leaders, among others, to convince their people to flip their support to President Weah and the CDC.
The MDR has vowed to expel Rep. Kargon if he fails to appear before the party’s executive committee for an investigation into the allegation levied against him, according to a report.
Recently, the founder and political leader emeritus of the MDR, Senator Prince Y. Johnson, accused Rep. Kargon, one of his loyal protégés, of being used by the CDC to wrestle away votes from the opposition Unity Party (UP) and the MDR presidential ticket represented by former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and Nimba County Senator Jeremiah Kpan Koung.
Speaking to reporters recently, Senator Johnson named several local county officials, including chiefs, elders, municipal leaders, and other influential people within Nimba, as being targeted.
Senator Johnson, in his allegation, said the US$72,000 will be used by Rep. Kargon, who is also a businessman, to import campaign materials for President Weah and the CDC, while the L$30 million will be given to Nimba County PMC treasurer Sam Tar-Kruah Jr. to purchase lappers and other party paraphernalia for women groups, youths in Nimba District #4, and other parts of the county.
The self-proclaimed Godfather of Nimba County called on all Nimbaians to support the Unity Party for the sake of Senator Koung. He described the MDR’s support for UP as the best decision and said Koung, serving as running mate to UP standard bearer Boakai, is a perfect choice for Liberia. He said just as Nimbaians have been very pivotal in deciding who is elected president and vice president in Liberia, they should now step up and ensure the Boakai-Koung ticket is victorious.
Kargon’s response
Representative Kargon denied ever receiving any money from President Weah and the CDC. On the investigation, Kargon said he has not received any written communication from the MDR to appear before its executive committee as it is being announced.
He noted that he only received a phone call from a partisan whose name he refused to disclose, informing him to get prepared for the MDR’s primary. The lawmaker said the caller informed him that due to the change to some of the decisions from the Ganta convention, the party will be holding a convention for legislative aspirants.
Speaking from his hometown of Gbor Wehplay, Rep. Kargon said his political partnership with President Weah started long before the MDR pledged its support to the Unity Party, and as such, his relationship with Weah cannot be broken by any party’s influence. He said he has made up his mind to support President Weah, and as such, the MDR should allow him to remain where he stands.
He clarified that Senator Johnson remains his political father and will fully support his third-term senatorial bid as a full member of the MDR, but will support President Weah for the presidency.
On his expulsion threat, he said: “Though I don’t pray to be expelled from the party, if that’s the MDR decision, who am I? I remain a strong supporter of Senator Johnson and am willing to follow him in all his senatorial quests.”
Kargon said he has been favored by President Weah among several lawmakers from Nimba, and out of this favor, the President has promised to undertake several developmental projects in his district. He said among them are the construction of roads, bridges, and schools, and in addition, granting his district headquarters, Garplay, city status.
Pay-for-play allegation
While it is yet to be established that Rep. Kargon received the huge sum of money from the CDC, the opposition community continues to accuse President Weah and the ruling CDC of using public funds to induce voters in vote-rich counties, including Nimba, Bong, and Lofa, to cast votes ahead of the October polls.
Last week, sources said that in the wake of the UP-MDR marriage, the CDC is so terrified of the Boakai-Koung ticket that they are willing to do everything in their power to disorganize the political marriage—even when it means breaking the bank!
Reports say the CDC is tossing up US$3 million to disintegrate the main opposition camp to ease the way for a Weah-Taylor re-election.
And Senator Johnson’s accusation against his protégé Kargon has left many questioning if this is also part of the CDC’s “Grand Plan.”
