Published: December 30, 2024
Monrovia – The Movement for Progressive Change (MPC), led by renowned Liberian businessman-turned-politician Simeon Freeman, has strongly criticized a recent statement by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, which the party claims encourages public officials to use stolen public funds for the benefit of the Liberian people.
During a visit to his hometown in Lofa County, President Boakai told a large gathering: “We want to encourage those who want to remain corrupt and steal money; I beg y’all, the money should be used to bless our people.”
The remark has sparked widespread backlash, with many citizens and civil society actors, including the Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Anderson D. Miamen, condemning it as “pampering corruption.”
In response, the Executive Mansion issued a press statement clarifying that the president’s remarks were misinterpreted and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to fighting corruption.
However, during a press conference on Saturday, December 28, 2024, in Monrovia, MPC National Chair Oneal Passewe criticized the statement as a dangerous endorsement of corruption, arguing that it undermines the integrity of Liberia’s governance systems.
“Such a statement is not only an endorsement of corruption but also a dangerous precedent that undermines the integrity of our government and institutions,” Passewe said.
He further described the president’s remarks as an egregious misstep, suggesting they imply theft from public funds is acceptable if used to “bless the people.” He called on the president to focus on strengthening transparency, accountability, and ethical governance instead of making statements that could be interpreted as encouraging corruption.
“The MPC is appalled that the president, rather than taking the necessary steps to eradicate corruption and address the root causes of poverty, has chosen to implicitly validate it as a tool for redistribution,” Passewe said.
The MPC emphasized that no serious leader, in Liberia or anywhere else, should tolerate or encourage corrupt practices under any circumstances. According to the party, the president’s statement reflects a troubling lack of commitment to fighting corruption and sends a dangerous message that stealing from the state is permissible if it benefits the poor.
The party further described such rhetoric as a direct contradiction of good governance, fairness, and justice, arguing that it perpetuates a culture of impunity. Passewe warned that the president’s remarks undermine efforts to restore trust in government and build a society rooted in fairness and transparency.
“It is precisely this kind of weak and irresponsible leadership that has allowed corruption to flourish in Liberia for decades,” he added.
The MPC called on President Boakai to retract his statement and take immediate steps to demonstrate a genuine commitment to fighting corruption within his administration.
Passewe reaffirmed the MPC’s commitment to transparency and accountability under the leadership of Simeon Freeman, vowing to make the fight against corruption a top priority if elected to state power.
“If elected, the MPC will ensure that every government official is held to the highest standards of integrity. We will not tolerate any form of corruption and will work tirelessly to build a Liberia where resources are used for the benefit of all citizens, not just a few corrupt elites,” Passewe declared.
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