MONROVIA — Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. is facing a wave of public backlash after expressing hope that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai fails in office — a controversial comment many believe lays bare his ambition to contest the presidency in 2029.
Speaking during a recent appearance on the widely followed Spoon Talk platform, Snowe bluntly declared:
“I actually want him to be a one-term president,” Snowe said. “So I pray he doesn’t do better so we can remove them from power.”
The remarks, which quickly went viral on social media, have ignited a heated national debate about patriotism, political ambition, and ethical leadership.
While Snowe has long been regarded as one of Liberia’s most calculating political operators, critics say his latest comments reflect a troubling willingness to place personal ambition over the country’s progress.
Laying the Groundwork for 2029
Political insiders say Snowe’s statement was no accident, but part of a carefully crafted strategy as he positions himself for a presidential bid in 2029.
Sources close to the Legislature told The Liberian Investigator that the Bomi lawmaker has been quietly building alliances both within and outside the Capitol, and could soon emerge as the political leader of the National Patriotic Party (NPP).
“This isn’t just a careless comment — it’s a political strategy,” said political analyst Larry Johnson. “Snowe is positioning himself as a viable alternative in 2029, but he’s doing it by hoping the current administration collapses. That’s dangerous for our democracy.”
Public Outrage Swift and Strong
Henry Dwuye, a longtime Snowe supporter, announced his disillusionment in a Facebook post.
“I withdraw all my support from Senator Snowe with immediate effect! I never knew he was so unpatriotic and deceitful. I never supported former President Weah, but I never prayed for him to fail just so someone else could win,” Dwuye wrote.
Arthur B. Oddman, another Liberian, condemned Snowe’s mindset.
“The senator prefers Liberians suffer under this government just so he can be president in 2029? Must he even think like that for God’s sake? So sad,” he said.
Assistant Mines and Energy Minister Cooper Paasewe also weighed in.
“God used Stanton Witherspoon to expose this weak and heartless man,” Paasewe wrote.
Political commentator Tom R. Parker said the statement speaks to a larger problem in Liberian politics.
“Is it about President Boakai or the country? People are very evil in this country,” Parker said. “If it can’t be me, it shouldn’t be you — that’s the mentality. No wonder we never stay focused on one development agenda.”
Snowe’s Political Journey
Snowe’s rise in Liberian politics has been nothing short of remarkable.
Once a protégé of former President Charles Taylor, he became one of the youngest speakers of the House of Representatives in Liberian history. Elected as representative of Montserrado County District 5, he led the NPP bloc before shifting political allegiances to align with the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC). He later distanced himself from the CDC and ran as an independent.
In 2020, he was elected senator of Bomi County, gaining a reputation for navigating Liberia’s complex political landscape. Critics, however, argue that Snowe’s flexibility has been more about personal ambition than principle.
“Snowe has never hidden his love for power,” said political analyst Amos Dahn. “He’s always reinventing himself for the next opportunity — and 2029 is clearly his target.”
Double Standards?
Some commentators, like Chelsea-Irrelyn Korkollie Daz, have called out what they see as hypocrisy in the criticism of Snowe.
“When Senators Abe Darius Dillon and Yekeh Kolubah were doing the same thing to make Weah a one-term president, y’all were clapping,” Daz wrote. “Now you’re calling it unpatriotic? Let’s be honest — it’s always been the people who suffer.”
The controversy has reignited debate over Liberia’s political culture, where observers say personal ambition often overshadows the national interest.
“No politician wants better for this country. They just want to keep the people in poverty and enrich themselves,” said Vesalius Eman Wheagbah. “We as Liberians must wake up and start holding them accountable.”
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