Published: October 5, 2026
MONROVIA — Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has called for an independent investigation into allegations of possible political favoritism in the selection of Lofa County’s representative for an internationally sponsored training program in India, after the county’s development officer was reportedly bypassed for an individual alleged to have political ties to Local Government Minister Francis Sakila Nyumalin.
In a press statement issued over the weekend, Naymote raised concerns over the nomination of Henry Bundoo, who it said is listed as Lofa County’s “County Technical Assistant” for the African-Asian Rural Development Organization-supported training.
According to Naymote, Bundoo is reportedly a Foya District coordinator for a political movement associated with Nyumalin. The organization, however, stressed that the alleged political connection and whether it influenced the nomination have not been independently established.
“According to the participant list provided to Naymote, every other participating county is represented by its County Development Officer. Lofa County alone is represented by a person designated as a ‘County Technical Assistant,’” Naymote said in the statement.
“Naymote’s preliminary inquiries have not identified this position within Lofa County’s current administrative structure,” it added.
At the center of the controversy is Francis Egu Lasanna, whom Naymote identified as Lofa County’s Development Officer. The organization said Lasanna was excluded from the training, even though officials in equivalent positions from all other participating counties attended.
“Naymote has received allegations that Mr. Henry Bundoo, reportedly a Foya District Coordinator for Minister Francis Sakila Nyumalin’s political movement, occupies Lofa County’s place in the training, while Mr. Francis Egu Lasanna, identified as the County Development Officer, remains excluded,” the statement said.
Naymote said the controversy goes beyond an individual receiving an opportunity to travel abroad, arguing that County Development Officers are responsible for development planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
“Training intended to strengthen those functions should benefit officials who legitimately hold the relevant responsibilities and can apply the learning within county institutions upon return,” the organization said.
Naymote warned that if political influence excluded the appropriate county official, the implications would extend to Lofa County’s broader development interests.
“If political connections displaced the appropriate county official, Lofa County would have been deprived of an opportunity to strengthen its development capacity,” Naymote said. “Such conduct would place personal political interests ahead of public responsibilities and undermine confidence in the Ministry’s commitment to accountable decentralization.”
The organization praised the African-Asian Rural Development Organization, or AARDO, for supporting Liberia’s institutional development but said protecting the partnership requires ensuring that beneficiaries genuinely occupy the positions under which they are presented.
Naymote is therefore calling on the Ministry of Local Government to establish Bundoo’s official appointment status, substantive duties, and authority to represent Lofa County, and to explain why the County Development Officer was not included.
“The Ministry should confirm that all participants are legitimate nominees whose official responsibilities correspond to the training’s objectives,” Naymote said.
It also wants the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate whether any conflict of interest, political favoritism or misuse of public authority influenced Lofa County’s representation.
According to the statement, the investigation should establish the facts, allow those involved to respond and determine whether corrective action or referral to other competent authorities is warranted.
If improper influence is established, Naymote called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the responsible authorities to ensure appropriate accountability and restore Lofa County’s access to the intended institutional benefit in coordination with AARDO and the training hosts.
The organization, however, cautioned that Bundoo’s reported political association should not itself be considered evidence of wrongdoing.
“A political association does not, by itself, prove wrongdoing,” Naymote said. “However, public authority must never be used to reward political loyalty at the expense of county development. Officials entrusted with decentralization must protect the interests of the communities they serve.”
Naymote further called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant institutions to verify the official status and substantive responsibilities of individuals nominated for internationally sponsored government training.
It said it intends to seek clarification from AARDO and relevant Indian partners through appropriate channels.
The organization also congratulated County Development Officers from Bong, Sinoe, River Gee, Rivercess, Margibi, Grand Bassa and Grand Gedeh counties participating in the training, encouraging them to deepen their knowledge, build professional networks and return better equipped to strengthen county institutions.
Naymote said it remains committed to constructive engagement with the Ministry of Local Government but maintained that the questions surrounding Lofa’s representation require a prompt and transparent response.
“A prompt, documented response and an impartial investigation will protect the integrity of the training partnership, strengthen public confidence and uphold Lofa County’s development interests,” Naymote said.
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