The youth members of the Unity Party (UP) in Bong County are demanding the removal of Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris over allegations of misconduct which they claimed are risking their party’s unity.
This call for action formally presented to President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, was received by the leadership of the Unity Party in the county. The leadership is reportedly supporting Superintendent Norris’ removal.
George Flomo, who spoke on behalf of the youth, shared their frustrations during the protest, noting that they feel disrespected and sidelined, not only within their own party but also in their relationships with other groups like the Liberty Party, the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), and the Rainbow Alliance.
Flomo made it emphatically clear that these allies had put in a lot of hard work during the campaign to help the Unity Party, often facing tough conditions but observed that instead of appreciation, they felt hostility coming from Superintendent Norris.
The UP-Youth spokesperson emphasized a pattern of exclusion since Norris took over, claiming that Superintendent Norris has consistently shut out those who helped her rose to her position.
He outlined some serious concerns about her leadership, like betrayal of trust and unfair favoritism for awarding contracts.
There are also allegations regarding the mismanagement of County Social Development Funds, with failures in initiatives such as farming project and beauty pageant that were supposed to serve the community.
The youths also accused Superintendent Norris of violating rules around public contracts, claiming that she gave jobs to unqualified companies and may have received kickbacks in the process. They said she misrepresented a local pastor’s political support to get a vehicle from President Boakai, further damaging trust within the party.
Flomo has called for immediate action from President Boakai, warning that Norris’s way of leading is tearing the party apart and could threaten its stability. According her, to keep the party moving forward, it is essential to tackle these problems now.
In the wake of the protest emanating from the party’s youths, there are rumors that Senator Prince Kermue Moye is working behind the scene to remove Superintendent Norris, thus fueling the political heat in Bong County.
An anonymous source revealed that Senator Moye was unhappy about President Boakai recently giving a vehicle to Pastor James S. Paye of the Christ Vision International Ministry, believing the pastor did not back the Unity Party during the elections.
William B.S. Kollie, who holds the position of National Traditional Liaison Officer for the Rescue Mission, along with the Regional Gender Coordinator for Bong, Lofa, and Nimba Counies, Viola Nyamah Cooper, received the petition on behalf of the Unity Party Bong County leadership. They promised the Youth Wing that their concerns would be taken seriously and addressed quickly.
As the youths and their supporters await response from President Boakai, they remain alert and committed to the principles that helped the party to regain power, stressing that they are determined to tackle the issues they are facing.
The developments in Bong County seem to indicate broader struggles the party is confronted with in keeping their solidarity and integrity in sight as future elections have approximately four years away.