PRESS STATEMENT
MONROVIA – The Independent Societal Watch Advocates (ISWA) is seriously concerned about the recent allegation of a Liberian diplomatic passport scandal linking the Office of the Honorable Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor in a publication by Frontpage Africa on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023.
FPA in a publication on September 5, 2023, alleged in the passport scandal, that the Honorable Vice President, who is being seen in several photos with Stephen Ochieng Nyahera, a Kenyan national who is believed to be a contact person between the alleged Liberian passport syndicate and some foreigners; also bears a Liberian diplomatic passport in January 2022.
Therefore, ISWA, having thoroughly investigated such dangerous allegation against the office of the Honorable Vice President, states categorically and unequivocally, that after several investigations; said assertion and publication against Vice President Howard-Taylor are diabolical malicious, politically-driven, and a distraction to the campaign of the re-elections bid of His Excellency, President George M. Weah and Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor.
Seeing the massive political boost, enthusiasm, and gravity in the re-election bid of the duo, and given the strong political influence the Honorable Vice President has, coupled with the current realities of political happenings in the country; ISWA sees this publication as a political distraction and machinations intended to derail the reputation and focus of this honorable stateswoman.
Distinguished members of the press, fellow Liberians, it may interest you to note that with the tons of research conducted by ISWA, we further maintained that Madam Vice President has no link to said passport saga; as sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during our investigations, divulged. And that Vice President who is seen in the photo with Stephen was introduced to her office as a potential investor, by some officials of Government and the party hierarchy.
As such, ISWA maintains that the publication linking the Vice President is unfair, and has the proclivity to destroy the Vice President’s high-earned reputation. As a student of diplomacy and law, Madam Howard-Taylor would never be involved in a scandalous act that has the propensity to bring the office of the Vice President vis-a-vis the Government of Liberia to international disrepute and embarrassment.
Hence, ISWA urged those behind such malicious political propaganda and chicanery to devise a better strategy that would sell their political interest and sway the citizenry from the re-election bid of President Weah and the Vice President, rather than spewing falsehood and distorted lies.
The Independent Societal Watch Advocates (ISAW), is a conglomeration of all conscious-minded and independent rights advocates, whose quest is to ensure that Liberia as a country is on the right path to perfect development and adequate independent human rights protection.
