Liberia’s former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has blended former Montserrado Country District #10 Yekeh Kolubah a liar and cautions him to retract his false statement against President Boakai. In a statement posted on her social media page, veep Howard-Taylor noted, “Stop the wanton abuse and disrespect of national leaders,” the former Liberian Vive President cautioned Mr. Kolubah.
She noted, “I have been made aware of a deeply disturbing and entirely false statement made by a former member of the Liberian Legislature alleging that during the condolence visit of His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai following the passing of my beloved son, Mr. Charles Neilson Philip Taylor IV, the President behaved in a manner that was disrespectful to my family and our home. I wish to state, without fear or reservation, that this allegation is completely false and disrespectful.”
He described the former lawmaker’s assertion as a fabrication that dishonors not only the Office of the President but also the sacred memory of her son and the solemn period of mourning that her family endured.
Madam Howard-Taylor added, “The loss of a child is one of life’s deepest sorrows. During that difficult time, Liberians from every political persuasion, religious background, and walk of life came to offer comfort and condolences of which I remain eternally grateful.”
She clarified that President Boakai’s visit was one of many such expressions of sympathy extended to her family, and it should never be distorted for political sensationalism or personal attacks.
“As a former Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, former First Lady, former Senator, and a lifelong servant of the Liberian people, I have always believed that our democracy is strengthened when we protect the dignity of our national institutions and treat one another with decency, even in moments of political disagreement. I therefore categorically reject the growing culture of character assassination, misinformation, lies and the abuse and vilification of national leaders for political gain,” Madam Taylor said. She said such conduct diminishes our public discourse, erodes respect for state institutions, and sends the wrong message to the younger generation about the kind of nation we aspire to build.
Madam Taylor averred that political differences should never justify the deliberate spreading of falsehoods at any occasion, and especially concerning moments of grief and human compassion. “Liberia deserves a higher standard of leadership-one rooted in truth, integrity, mutual respect, and responsible public conduct from all.”
“I therefore call upon Mr. Yekeh Kolubah, the individual responsible for this false assertion to immediately retract the statement and apologize to the Liberian people, to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and to my family for introducing such a malicious and unfounded claim into the public space,” Madam Taylor demands.
She pointed out, “Let us disagree on policies, let us debate ideas, but let us never sacrifice truth, decency, and respect at the altar of politics. May God continue to bless the Republic of Liberia and guide us toward greater unity, civility, and national reconciliation.”
Meanwhile, expelled Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah has rejected former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor’s call for him to retract his allegation involving President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, insisting that he stands by his statement.
Kolubah’s response comes after Taylor described his claim that President Boakai urinated in her chair during a condolence visit to her home as false and disrespectful and called on him to apologize to the President, her family, and the Liberian people.
In a Facebook post, Kolubah said he would not withdraw his comments, maintaining that his position remains unchanged. “Madam former Vice President, I respect you, but I stand by my statement. I will not be one of those who will bow down to Joseph Boakai,” he said. He also took exception to Taylor referring to him as a former Representative, arguing that his legal case remains before the Supreme Court and that no vacancy has been declared in District #10.
The former lawmaker further accused Taylor of failing to speak out over what he described as a violation of his constitutional rights by the Boakai administration, claiming that her relationship with the President influenced her position.
