Monrovia – Sinoe County Senator Cllr. Augustine Chea has taken an aim at his colleague, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, calling his recent public apology to former President George Weah “deceptive” and politically motivated. Senator Chea’s criticism comes in response to Dillon’s admission that his past criticisms of Weah’s private jet usage were uninformed and unwarranted.
In a social media post titled Confronting the Guilt of Deception: The Case of the Apology of Senator Dillon, Cllr. Chea questioned the sincerity of Dillon’s apology, accusing him of political opportunism. “Truthfulness has never been counted among political virtues, and lies have always been regarded as justifiable tools in political dealings,” wrote Chea, quoting philosopher Hannah Arendt. He asserted that Dillon’s apology lacked genuine remorse, describing it as a “clever attempt to manipulate public perception” in the face of mounting public criticism.
“[Dillon] does not have the spine or balls to criticize President Boakai over his use of a private aircraft as he did with former President Weah,” Chea continued. “So, the deceptive thing to do is to say that he was wrong for criticizing former President Weah.”
A Controversial Apology
Dillon’s public apology, delivered during an appearance on “OK Conversation,” marked a stark reversal of his previous stance. During the 2023 opposition campaign, Dillon and other Unity Party members had lambasted Weah for what they claimed was an extravagant misuse of public funds for private jet travel.
“We did not understand the constraints and reasons for using private jets,” Dillon said on the program. “I want to publicly apologize to President Weah for ranting loosely from an uninformed position.” He further advocated for Liberia to procure a presidential aircraft, calling it a practical solution to the controversy surrounding private jet travel.
Yet, Dillon’s apology comes as the Boakai-Koung administration—of which he is a staunch supporter—faces criticism for its own frequent use of private jets. Both President Joseph Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung have been seen boarding private aircraft since taking office, prompting accusations of hypocrisy from the public and political opponents alike.
Chea’s Broader Critique
Chea dismissed Dillon’s apology as a “face-saving adventure” aimed at deflecting attention from the Boakai administration’s actions. “This is not an honest apology, after all; it is deception and political chicanery,” Chea wrote. He suggested that Dillon’s shift was driven by the senator’s declining public standing, describing it as “a mere formality” rather than a meaningful acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Chea’s criticism taps into broader public discontent with Dillon, who has faced previous accusations of credibility issues. In 2021, Dillon admitted to lying about traveling business class, a revelation that tarnished his self-styled image as the “light” in Liberian politics. Critics argue that his recent apology to Weah is another calculated move to regain political favor amid growing dissatisfaction with the Boakai administration.
Mixed Public Reactions
Dillon’s apology has sparked intense debate among Liberians. While some have praised him for his humility, others have questioned the timing and sincerity of his remarks. “We trusted him as the light in our politics, but now we see the same tactics he once condemned,” a critic remarked. Another added, “Can your apologies bring back what has been destroyed?” referring to the divisions Dillon helped fuel during the 2023 campaign.
Dillon, however, defended his actions as a sign of personal growth. “In good conscience, I admit my wrongs to correct them. This doesn’t mean I’ll lie again in the future,” he said during the radio show.
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