MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Hon. Yekeh Kolubah, the outspoken Representative of District #10, Montserrado County, on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, accused Mike B. Jabateh, the Assistant Minister for Urban Affairs at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, of threatening his life. Kolubah made these claims on his Facebook page, alleging that Jabateh warned he would “bring machinery to kill” him, giving a chilling three-week ultimatum.
Kolubah, a fierce critic of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has been unrelenting in his denunciations of the current administration. He plans to hold a press conference today at the Movement against Joseph Boakai Presidency Baze to further address these allegations. This move comes as tensions between him and the President escalate, with Kolubah accusing the administration of targeting him for his outspoken stance.
The controversy intensified after a reported raid by the Liberia National Police (LNP) on Kolubah’s political base on Old Road. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with officers allegedly engaging in brutality and confiscating personal items, including money, motorcycles, and a television set. Residents of the area expressed outrage, suggesting that the operation was politically motivated.
Kolubah has been quick to blame President Boakai for orchestrating the raid, suggesting it was a retaliatory action following his critical Facebook live broadcast. During the broadcast, Kolubah condemned the President and members of the religious community, prompting speculation about the administration’s tolerance for dissent.
In response to these accusations, Kolubah has ramped up his calls for transparency and accountability, core promises of Boakai’s electoral campaign. He insists that the President must adhere to these principles to maintain public trust and demonstrate commitment to democratic governance.
The LNP has refuted Kolubah’s claims, with DCP Cecelia G. Clarke, the spokesperson for the Press and Public Affairs Division, denying any targeted raid on Kolubah’s baze. Clarke described the operation as routine police activity, unrelated to Kolubah or his political activities, attempting to dispel accusations of political persecution.
The fallout between Kolubah and Boakai has puzzled political analysts, given their once-close alliance during the 2023 presidential election. Their partnership was seen as instrumental in securing Boakai’s victory, making their current discord all the more surprising and concerning to observers.
As the situation develops, the clash between Kolubah and the administration underscores the fragile nature of political alliances in Liberia. It raises critical questions about the trajectory of Boakai’s presidency and the broader implications for political stability in the country.
