Published: July 22, 2026
MONROVIA – Former Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr. has openly acknowledged that dishonesty contributed to the Congress for Democratic Change’s (CDC) defeat in the 2023 presidential election, declaring that he will no longer “lie in politics” as he defended himself against allegations linking him to Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung’s wealth.
Tweah’s remarks, made during a telephone interview on Spoon Network Monday, July 21, came as he sought to dispel allegations by expelled Montserrado County District No. 10 Representative Yekeh Y. Kolubah that he was responsible for the vice president’s financial success.
The comments also follow recent public remarks by former Executive Mansion Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo, another senior figure in former President George M. Weah’s administration, who accused members of her own political camp of wanting her imprisoned before she could bury her late father.
During the interview with Spoon Network Chief Executive Officer Stanton Witherspoon, Tweah dismissed claims circulating on social media that he played a central role in building Vice President Koung’s wealth.
He emphasized that his relationship with Koung was based on friendship rather than financial dealings.
“When Jeremiah Koung was contesting for senator, I provided US$50,000 electoral support; when his father died, we (the then ruling CDC government) helped him with US$30,000,” Tweah explained. “So, between me and God, for my six years as Finance Minister, the money that I know came from me to go to Jeremiah Koung is $75,000.”
Tweah maintained that apart from those contributions, he had no other financial transactions with the vice president and denied any connection to Nimba County funds.
“I went to his house and I slept there; that’s the support,” he said.
The former finance minister further disclosed that the CDC administration allocated US$50,000 in the national budget toward the construction of Koung’s hospital in Nimba County before the facility was later donated to the government, which assumed responsibility for staff salaries.
“This is just to eliminate the rumor that the millions Jeremiah Koung has today, it’s Samuel Tweah; that is not true,” he said.
While addressing the allegations, Tweah made one of his most candid public reflections on the CDC’s 2023 electoral defeat.
“This is the honest truth I have to say to the Liberian people,” Tweah emphasized. “I do not know how to lie in politics because lies brought us out of power, so I will not use lies on anybody; what I know is what I will say.”
The statement amounts to a rare public admission by a senior CDC official that dishonesty contributed to the party’s loss to the Unity Party in the 2023 presidential election.
Tweah went on to describe himself as one of Liberia’s most honest politicians and pledged to continue speaking candidly regardless of the personal consequences.
He said he would remain committed to telling the truth even if it cost him his life.
Tweah also revealed that Vice President Koung has provided him financial assistance since his return to Liberia.
“The first time I saw Jeremiah Koung he gave me $2,000; the second time he gave me $1,500, and that was about six months ago,” he stated.
According to Tweah, the assistance reflects the personal friendship between the two men and should not be interpreted as evidence of any political or financial arrangement.
Tweah’s comments come at a time when several former officials of the Weah administration, including himself, are facing corruption-related prosecutions stemming from their time in office.
His remarks also follow comments by former Executive Mansion Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundoo, who, during her father’s funeral on Saturday, thanked the Boakai administration for allowing her to attend the burial while alleging that some members of her own political camp had wanted her detained at the Monrovia Central Prison, commonly known as South Beach.
Tweah and Bundoo were both regarded as among the most influential officials in former President Weah’s administration and enjoyed significant support within the CDC during the party’s six years in power.
Although Tweah did not suggest he intends to leave the CDC or align with the ruling Unity Party, his acknowledgment that “lies brought us out of power” is likely to fuel further debate within the opposition as it continues to assess the factors behind its 2023 electoral defeat while several of its former officials remain before the courts on corruption-related charges.
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