MONROVIA – The Alternative National Congress (ANC), through its Secretary General Desmond Ujay Nimely, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, issued a forceful response to statements made by Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, defending its Standard Bearer, Mr. Alexander B. Cummings. The press conference, held in Monrovia, condemned what ANC described as a politically motivated attack aimed at tarnishing the reputation of Mr. Cummings.
Speaking on behalf of Cummings, Nimely characterized Piah’s remarks as “reckless, baseless, and politically motivated,” noting that the minister had labeled Cummings a “dishonest man” during a recent public address. “This statement exposes not only Piah’s desperation but also his abuse of public office and constant drunkenness,” Nimely asserted, emphasizing that the Information Minister’s duty is to provide factual, transparent information to Liberians.
Nimely criticized Piah for turning the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism into what he described as a “political attack center,” where propaganda and insults against political opponents are manufactured. “His daily habit of vilifying critics of the Boakai administration has brought shame upon the office he occupies and the already failing government,” he said, adding that dignity, integrity, and accountability are expected of someone in Piah’s position.
Turning to the nation’s pressing issues, Nimely highlighted Liberia’s economic challenges. He said that under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration, the country’s economy has collapsed, basic commodities have become unaffordable, and civil servants are protesting low wages. He further accused the government of rewarding political cronies and engaging in secretive procurement deals, including the controversial purchase of 82 yellow machines, about which the minister remained silent.
“The Liberian people continue to suffer in reality while the government enjoys a strengthened Liberian dollar on paper,” Nimely said. He stressed that job opportunities have dwindled, businesses are closing, and investors are fleeing due to mismanagement, incompetence, and lack of fiscal discipline. “Instead of addressing these challenges, Piah diverts attention with political insults,” he said.
On the healthcare crisis, Nimely described Liberia’s medical system as being in “complete collapse,” with hospitals lacking basic medicines, equipment, and supplies. He said patients are dying daily, while pregnant women are being turned away due to a shortage of essential drugs and beds. Nimely criticized President Boakai and his officials for seeking medical treatment abroad while ordinary Liberians suffer at home.
The ANC also raised concerns about the nation’s growing drug crisis, particularly the widespread abuse of narcotics such as “Kush, spike and die, and solar panel.” Nimely said the Boakai administration has failed to implement rehabilitation programs or enforce laws against drug importers. “Families are crying, communities are broken, and schools are losing students daily to drugs, yet the loose-talker Minister finds time only to attack Mr. Cummings,” he said.
Corruption and governance failures were also central to the ANC’s critique. Nimely accused the government of secrecy and dishonesty, citing the handling of public contracts and the cover-up of scandals, including a rape allegation against Deputy Minister McGill. “Piah and his boss, President Boakai, are in no moral position to call anyone dishonest. They are the architects of dishonesty,” he said.
Nimely contrasted Cummings’ record with that of the current administration, asserting that Cummings has consistently demonstrated integrity, results, and service throughout his career. He emphasized that Cummings has never enriched himself through public office and remains a model of ethical leadership.
Addressing Piah and his aide, Daniel Sando, Nimely warned that the ANC would continue to resist attacks on its leader and the party’s reputation. “Every time you attack our leader, and by extension our sacred institution, you will meet strong, fearless, and factual resistance,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Nimely reaffirmed the ANC’s commitment to speaking truth to power and defending Liberians’ interests. He called on Piah to cease abusing his office and focus on addressing the country’s real challenges. “The Liberian people are suffering, the nation is bleeding, and time is running out,” he said.
He concluded by urging Liberians to demand leadership marked by vision, honesty, and compassion. “Mr. Cummings represents that hope. Until this government begins to serve the people instead of itself, we will continue to expose its lies, challenge its failures, and confront its dishonesty, boldly, publicly, and unapologetically,” Nimely said.
