As Several Persons Are Arrested In The Aftermath Of Foya Violence
PHOTO: Some UP partisans dance in front of their Party headquarters in Voinjama City, Lofa County
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
VOINJAMA CITY, LOFA COUNTY, Liberia- Partisans of the Opposition Unity Party (UP) of former Vice President Joseph Boakai here at a press conference on Sunday, October 1,2023 has given state security forces a 72-hoursultimatum to release their men allegedly arrested by them or charge them to court in line with law.
The hotly contested October 10, 2023 presidential and legislative elections is only eight days away.
Speaking during a news conference, UP’s campaign spokesperson, Augustine Forkpah Zaizay said it was sad for Lofa County which is a county of unity, tradition to experience a political infatuation action in Foya which was absorptive and well calculated.
UP officials addressing the press in Voinjama
Foya and the entire Lofa County had been peaceful in past elections but since the entrance of Rep. Thomas P. Fallah, the County has been experiencing violence, the UP alleged. The CDC lawmaker has instead blamed UP supporters for the bloody clashes over the weekend.
“This violence was initiated during the Bi-election in 2022 when Rep. Fallah alleged trained some citizens of Foya to be militants and wearing a uniform similar to the Liberia Immigration uniform something that raised eyebrows but the government in totality did nothing to address the concerns of the citizens Zaizay added”.
Mr. Zaizay added that the introduction of Rep. Thomas P. Fallah into the body politic of Lofa County is something that is well documented.
“First time in the history of Lofa County to see individuals trained by Representative Thomas Fallah in a uniform similar to Liberia Immigration Service uniform name and style CDC militants which was an early warning where citizens raised eyebrows and called on government to investigate but it was downtown by the government because it was in their favor,” Mr. Zaizay added.
“We think the September 29,2023 provocation by Rep. Fallah and his CDC team was well calculated and implemented very well “UP campaign spokesperson narrated.
EU and other election observers who attended the UP press conference in Voinjama
The UP’s campaign spokesperson said these people that governing us must be given what they deserve because they have condoned too much.
For his part, the Unity Party (UP) Secretary General for Lofa County Abba Biaty has disclosed that the men of wologizi are prepared to resist and any criminals who create havoc in the County.
Mr. Biaty alleged that they have gotten an intelligence that over seventy-five criminals who have been paid by Rep. Fallah to come create havoc upon the arrival of the Unity Party standard bearer Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai something they are prepared to resist it to the code.
“We understand our county, terrain and know how to make their way out and the Wologizi men are standing to revenge any action from the CDC partisans.”
“This election is a turning point for everyone and it requires everyone to exercise their Democratic rights,” Mr. Biaty added.
“We will fight and defend our land and we will not accept any act of violence against our citizens because we will equally respond with Newton third law of motion.”
He pointed out that this election anything less than the voice of the people, we will match in history he narrated.
How can we plan our even and spend much money on it be the same people destroying it? Biaty set record straight in Foya situation.
The over 300,000 citizens of Lofa County can protect Amb. Boakai without state security who don’t even have a single vehicle lest to say tear gas UP Secretary Lofa Chapter concluded.
Meanwhile, the mobilization of Unity Party Lofa chapter David Mawolo has warned they will not accept any rigging of elections results.
He the rigging of election has happened on two separate elections but this time, it won’t happen because Lofians are prepared to protect their votes.
He called on citizens of Lofa County to out in their numbers to welcome Amb. Boakai who is the original landlord for Lofa County.
The press conference was attended by European Union (EU) election observers, ECOWAS and other international observer in the country.