Published: January 14, 2025
Monrovia – Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has issued a public apology to former President George Weah, admitting his earlier criticisms of private jet use were misinformed and unwarranted.
Speaking on the “OK Conversation” on Monday, Dillon expressed regret over his role in the 2023 opposition campaign, which accused Weah of extravagance and misuse of public funds for private jet travel.
“We did not understand the constraints and reasons for using private jets,” Dillon said. “I want to publicly apologize to President Weah for ranting loosely from an uninformed position.” He acknowledged the necessity of private jets in the African region and advocated for Liberia to procure a presidential aircraft for official use.
From Critic to Advocate
Dillon’s mea culpa comes amid a backdrop of frequent private jet use by the Boakai-Koung administration, which he fervently supports. This shift has drawn mixed reactions, especially from Liberians who vividly recall Dillon’s relentless critiques of Weah’s private jet travels during the 2023 elections.
At the time, Dillon and other Unity Party (UP) members accused Weah of recklessly spending taxpayer money on luxurious travel. However, within the first year of President Joseph Boakai’s tenure, both Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung have been seen boarding private jets for international engagements. Notably, Boakai was spotted boarding a jet with the tail number CN-SYA just two months into his presidency, while Koung defended his own private jet travel as a courtesy extended by a Ghanaian businessman.
“The use of private jets is necessary, especially now. It is only fair for someone to muster the courage and apologize to former President Weah. There is no need to defend it,” he said.
A Question of Credibility
This is not Dillon’s first brush with public scrutiny over credibility. In 2021, he admitted to lying about flying business class to the United States, initially denying the claims before confessing to purchasing a discounted ticket and attempting to cover it up. “I think it was uncalled for. I should have been man enough to speak the truth,” Dillon said at the time.
Critics argue that his recent apology could be a calculated move to regain political footing amid growing dissatisfaction with the Boakai administration’s perceived shortcomings. Some view it as an attempt to deflect attention from the administration’s private jet use by acknowledging past mistakes.
Mixed Public Reactions
The senator’s apology has divided public opinion. While some commend his humility, others question the sincerity of his motives. “Can your apologies bring back what has been destroyed?” a listener asked during the radio show, referring to the divisive political atmosphere Dillon once fueled.
“We trusted him as the light in our politics, but now we see the same tactics he once condemned,” said another critic. Dillon, however, defended his apology as a reflection 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.
Proposing a Long-Term Solution
Beyond his apology, Dillon proposed acquiring a presidential aircraft as a permanent solution to the private jet debate. “The thing that can solve the private jet issue is for us to procure a presidential jet for Liberia for the use of the president and for official purposes,” he suggested.
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