MONROVIA – In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, officers from the Liberia National Police (LNP) have reportedly raided the political base of Representative Yekeh Kolubah early Monday morning. The base, located on Old Road in District #10, Montserrado County, became the scene of alleged brutality, with residents reporting assaults during the operation. Eyewitnesses claimed that police officers seized money and valuables, raising concerns about the motivations behind the raid.
Representative Kolubah, an outspoken critic of President Joseph Boakai’s administration—whom he initially supported—has publicly accused the President of orchestrating the raid. According to Kolubah, the police made off with a television set, motorcycles, and food supplies. Known for his fiery rhetoric and unwillingness to back down, Kolubah has vowed to challenge the President directly, demanding the return of all items taken from his property.
The raid is believed to have been provoked by a Facebook live broadcast on Sunday, July 21, 2024, during which Kolubah harshly criticized President Boakai and members of the religious community. In response to the raid, Kolubah has intensified his calls for transparency, accountability, and openness from the government, insisting that these principles were central to Boakai’s electoral promises.
When contacted by Smart News Liberia, the police authority under Inspector General Col. Gregory Coleman denied that a raid took place at the lawmaker’s political base. According to DCP Cecelia G. Clarke, spokesperson for the Press and Public Affairs Division of the LNP, “No raid was carried out at Rep. Kolubah’s political base. The operation was a routine police activity in the community, not targeted at the lawmaker’s property.” Clarke concluded, “There was no raid at the lawmaker’s base.”
The fallout between Kolubah and President Boakai has puzzled political observers, as the two were once close allies during the 2023 presidential election campaign. Their alliance, which played a significant role in Boakai’s victory, has now unraveled, prompting speculation among opposition leaders and commentators about the root causes of their conflict. The unfolding drama highlights the fragile nature of political alliances in Liberia and raises questions about the direction of the current administration.
Meanwhile, Rep. Kolubah has issued a statement:
“The Liberia National Police raided my Political Base in the District early this morning, they brutalized my people and took away cash, a flat screen, and other valuable items. The police also shot live bullets and tear gas and took away five of my motorbikes from my base. The war Joseph Boakai started—I can assure him that we are on it for six years. Let me say this to Joseph Boakai, that no matter what he does, I will continue to stand for the Liberian people and never compromise the people’s interest.”
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