Published: December 4, 2024
Monrovia – Senator Abraham Darius Dillon’s tribute to the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson during Tuesday’s session has sparked speculation that President Joseph Boakai distanced himself from the controversial senator who played a crucial role in his rise to power.
According to Dillon, just days before his passing, Senator Johnson, accompanied by his daughter Crystal, visited Dillon’s office with an urgent appeal. Johnson pleaded for Dillon to leverage his relationship with Boakai to secure a government position for his daughter.
“Senator Johnson brought his daughter to me – Crystal – and several times he said, ‘My son, please talk to President Boakai to give my daughter a job. I trust you and your relationship with the President.’ I assured him I would honor his request,” Dillon recounted.
Two days before his death, Johnson followed up with Dillon to reiterate his plea. Dillon reassured him that he would address the matter with Boakai during the funeral of the late Superintendent of Grand Bassa County. Tragically, Johnson passed away on the same day as the superintendent’s burial.
Johnson’s influence in delivering Nimba County’s votes was instrumental in Boakai’s electoral victory. During both the October 10 election and the November 14 runoff, Johnson’s support proved decisive, with Boakai securing an overwhelming 74.14 percent of votes in the county.
Take a listen to Senator Dillon as he profoundly remembers his last interaction with the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson
The Alliance That Divided Loyalties
Boakai’s alliance with Senator Johnson, a former rebel general turned pastor and politician, during the 2023 campaign led critics to fear Senator Johnson’s reputation for wielding political clout and his connection to Jeremiah Koung, Boakai’s vice-presidential pick, would grant him undue influence over the presidency. This alliance even broke Boakai’s long-standing partnership with his political ally Benoni Urey.
For Boakai, however, the partnership with Senator Johnson was a calculated move to win the presidency, given his sway over Nimba County—a critical vote-rich county.
Johnson’s Shift from Weah
Johnson’s departure from former President George Weah’s camp was fueled by frustration over his waning influence within the CDC-led government. Once a central figure in the administration’s pay-for-play politics—a practice that earned him U.S. Treasury sanctions—Johnson saw his demands increasingly ignored during the latter years of Weah’s administration. His attempts to secure government positions for his kinsmen and women fell flat, prompting him to align with Boakai.
By securing Koung as Boakai’s running mate, Johnson envisioned not only regaining his leverage but also positioning Nimba County for future political dominance. Viewing Boakai as too old and frail to govern effectively, Johnson anticipated that Koung, as Vice President, would assume a significant share of presidential duties, granting him, Senator Johnson, indirect influence.
Fallout and Betrayal
However, cracks in the alliance began to show early in Boakai’s presidency. During his inaugural address, Boakai prioritized the establishment of a war and economic crimes tribunal—a move that unnerved Johnson, who remained a controversial figure for his wartime atrocities.
In a March interview with Truth FM, Senator Johnson lamented the breakdown of communication with Boakai, alleging that the president had distanced himself. “Mr. Boakai has even refused to pick up my phone because of his connection with the Allan White group. They think I am a war criminal,” Johnson complained.
The strained relationship extended to Vice President Koung, whom Senator Johnson accused of sidelining him in key decisions, particularly government appointments. Senator Johnson expressed disappointment, claiming that Koung’s failure to consult him could jeopardize his political ambitions.
“They are doing everything possible to subvert Koung’s potential as Boakai’s successor,” Johnson said. “Koung is recommending his own people for appointments without consulting me. I expected him to involve me, as his mentor, but that hasn’t happened.”
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