Former Bomi County Senator Sando Dazoe Johnson, has launched a blistering attack on the ruling Unity Party (UP), accusing its leadership of ‘betrayal and ungratefulness towards campaign allies, who fought to return the party to power in 2023.’
Johnson now serves as Presidential Liaison to the senate.
He said while President Joseph Nyuma Boakai remains personally appreciative to those who ushered UP into high political seat, the party as an institution, has abandoned its backers, a move he warned could spell disaster for 2029.
Mr. Johnson spoke to journalists over the weekend in Monrovia.
He added: “After helping you, you know the only good person in our whole UP is Pres. Boakai. The rest of the people are ungrateful,” Johnson fumed.
“If all of them were thinking like Pres. Boakai, and behaving like Pres. Boakai, UP would have another chance in 2029.”
Johnson, one of the more visible political actors during the 2023 elections said, the treatment meted out to campaign allies reflects a troubling pattern of neglect within the UP.
“The ruling establishment has used, and dumped many of the grassroots mobilizers, financiers and political operatives, who carried the campaign on their backs,”
Johnson said.
While Boakai, he noted, invited allies to his residence to personally thank them, Johnson criticized the UP leadership for failing to formally acknowledge the contributions of its supporters.
“The party itself never did that,” Johnson said, “even if you don’t get a job, at least acknowledge people’s efforts.”
He strongly rejected claims that his role, and that of others was ‘insignificant.’
Johnson reminded the UP that its razor-thin margin of victory in certain counties was only possible, because of grassroots mobilization and alliance-building.
“Our votes were very significant,” he said, adding: “but when they got there, those they appointed would become the insignificant people to them.”
Johnson’s comments highlighted the growing discontents within ruling party circles, where many campaign backers say they have been sidelined in favor of newcomers, and power-brokers, who contributed little during the election.
Despite his grievances, Johnson reserved praise for Boakai, describing him as a leader, who understands the value of gratitude. “Pres. Boakai called us to his house, and thanked all of us,” he said. “To me, Pres. Boakai was worth it, and I have no regret.”