PHOTO: Rep. Ivar K. Jones
By Moses M. Tokpah, mosesmtokpah@gmail.com
KAKATA, Liberia- There appears to be no letup in the rift amongst members of the Margibi County Legislative Caucus.
Just days following news about audio allegedly containing the voice of one of Margibi’s Senators, James Emmanuel Nuquay, Rep. Ivar K. Jones of District #2 has in a Facebook post vowed to return fire for fire.
Of recent, several leaked audios have been in the public and on some Radio Stations in Margibi County, one of which Rep. Ivar K. Jones’ name is being mentioned.
Rep. Jones is from the ruling CDC party, while Sen. Nuquay is from the opposition People’s Unification Party (PUP).
The voice in the audio widely believed to be that of Sen. Nuquay said that Rep. Jones is boasting of footpath bridge he constructed in the district (District #2) he represents.
The Senator also boasted of an aspirant he is fielding against Rep. Jones indicating that his supported aspirant identified as Joseph Yarkpawolo alias Yapuyah, has huge group in the Firestone Plantation and he’s the next Representative for the district.
“And that’s the money where Ivar them built footpath bridge that the one he was boasting, footpath bridge whole day boasting of. Footpath bridge in the country that one can’t happen again, Tornorla them made your firsky. Since Ebenezer pulled out now the man them thinking na,” he said.
The audio continued: “The guy that running district two Yapuyah, you know that Yapuyah them they got huge group in that plantation so they will partner with Dorothy and Zayzay, that what they doing na they partnering with Dorothy and Zayzay, that the next Representative for District two and besides that he’s from the Kpelle belt and the Kpelle belt that the biggest belt there.”
Another Margibi County Lawmaker, Rep. Ellen Attoh Wreh recently suspended one of her office staff for time indefinite without pay, after his voice was reportedly heard in the audio.
In a phone conversation on a popular radio show, “Day Break Margibi” on Radio Margibi in Kakata recently, Rep. Wreh said members of the current Legislative Caucus are divided and they are not working in the best interest of the citizens.
She stated that there are some members of the caucus who got dangling issues that are not clear or have something under their sleeves, but felt short of outlining those dangling issues.
Her statement also came barely days after her office obtained copy of the leaked audio in which the voice of her Chief of office staff is reportedly being heard in.
Rep. Jones is the second Margibi Lawmaker to respond to the audio as his name is being mentioned in it.
Responding strongly to the audio, Rep. Jones said he believes in the rule of engagement, particularly, to return fire when fired upon.
He said the action is being backed by Newton third law of motion, stating, to every force there must be an opposite and equal reaction.
“And let me be emphatic as I reiterate my previous position, that I/we will not fire at anyone once he or she poses no threat, but I/we will return fire when fired on.
For the record, let it be known that I am not a coward, because cowards die many times before their death, nor am I involved in fakery,” he added.
He stated that if the transformations introduced to Margibi’s body politics are annoying then the individual being heard in the audio should change his methodology and augment, noting that to think his (Rep. Jones) political fate can be decided through a political gossip, said person should be a joker and day-dreamer.
Rep. Jones maintained that the construction of the longest footpath bridge in Margibi County between Dolo Town and Unification Town was something too big under the stewardship of Margibi Caucus during the 53rd Legislature.
But he said it became a realization under the stewardship of Margibi 54th Legislative Caucus with him being the progenitor.
The district #3 Lawmaker intoned that he further lobbied with President George M. Weah for US$45,000.00 for the project.
“I respect every individual constitutional rights and I expect same in return. Nevertheless, if the basis of feeding a candidate is based on diabolically envy for the bridge accredited to me then you, your plan and accompanies are dead upon arrival.”
“Let the message resonate, that the 54th Margibi Legislative Caucus didn’t see a dime in any of the county’s ACCOUNTS rather the IB Account was in overdraft of more than $50,000.00 USD an opened challenge,” Rep. Jones concluded.