Amid report that the National Chairman of the ruling Unity Party (UP), Rev. Luther Tarpeh has fled the country after he allegedly expressed disappointment over the kind of appointments been made by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in government, Rev. Tarpeh has publicly clarified that he has left the country for the United States on official duty, but denied that he did not flee as been reported in the Liberian media.
In reaction to the report, speaking to OK FM Morning Rush Thursday edition, February 8, 2024, the UP National Chairman said, he did not flee the country unceremoniously but rather on an official visit in the United States.
Recently, Rev. Luther Tarpeh questioned unnamed ‘hijackers’ of UP’s revolution, asking where they were when his partisans walked through feces water to make Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai president.
“Let me say this, no man born of a woman will hijack this revolution. Where were they when we were campaigning and walking in the pupu water? Where were they when were insulted and attacked?” he noted.
The UP chairman spoke out against the disappointments faced by numerous partisans of UP and its alliance parties in President Boakai’s appointment of officials.
They claimed that their leaders were not being considered by President Boakai in appointing officials to run his government.
The protesting partisans of the ruling party said they stood in the struggle for Boakai’s presidency but find themselves unemployed.
Last week, thousands of youths backed by other high-profile officials of the UP besieged the home of Amb. Boakai in demand of jobs and inclusion of people they believe stood the test of time and campaigned for the party.
The protests shed light on the growing discontent within the UP, with members demanding fair representation in Boakai’s government because they significantly contributed to the party’s success.
As the situation unfolds, President Boakai faces the challenge of addressing these grievances to restore harmony within the UP and mitigate the potential impact on Liberia’s political landscape.
Heads of Motorcycle and Tricycle Unions of Liberia were seen petitioning the UP National Chairman to have their party leaders including him appointed in the Boakai-led Government.
According to the partisans, their concern has been for President Boakai to appoint UP and other political leaders like the UP National Chairman who they think is more than qualified and with a huge following.
Meanwhile, Chairman Tarpeh has denied any role in orchestrating the protests. However, he emphasized that he carries the burden of the partisans who feel overlooked.
“People think I’m the one coercing the partisans to carry out protests, but I am not. However, I’m the one carrying the party’s (UP) burdens,” he stated.
Chairman Tarpeh told the aggrieved partisans that they had the right to protest and express their concern to their leader.
“You have your right to express your disappointments but do it in an orderly manner. Don’t worry about me, I’m okay,” Rev. Tarpeh told partisans who were protesting at the President’s residence.
Investigation continues
