Monrovia, Liberia – President Joseph Boakai’s recent call for officials to “share with Liberians if they steal public money” has been criticized by the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC), through its National Chairperson.
The MPC Chairperson said, the party finds the President’s remarks extremely concerning since it openly encourage government personnel to embezzle public monies, provided that they use their illegal wealth to help the underprivileged.
According to MPC Chairman Onell Passaway, such a remark not only encourages corruption but also sets a risky precedent that compromises the credibility of institutions and the government.
He added that as a political party, they are shocked by the president’s comments, which imply that stealing from public funds is acceptable if it is allegedly done to “bless the people.” He called it a “unacceptable misstep” from a leader who ought to be concentrating on enhancing accountability, transparency, and moral governance.
Passaway stated that the MPC install of taking the necessary steps to eradicate corruption and address the root causes of poverty, President Boakai has chosen to implicitly validate it as a tool for redistribution.
“Under no circumstances could a credible leader in Liberia or anywhere else in the world accept or support corrupt behaviors. President Boakai’s remarks convey a dangerous message that stealing from the government is OK as long as it is done with the goal of helping poor people, he said, this also show a troubling lack of dedication to the battle against corruption.”
He maintained that such discourse simply serves to promote a culture of impunity and is in direct opposition to the principles of justice, fairness, and good governance.
The MPC Chairperson said that the President’s comment undercuts the vital efforts that must be made to rebuild public confidence in the government and create a transparent and equitable society.
In addition to urging President Boakai to take immediate action to show that he is sincere about putting an end to corruption in the government, Passaway stated that it is precisely this type of careless and incompetent leadership that has permitted corruption to thrive in Liberia for decades.
“The MPC will remain a resolute advocate for justice, openness, and reform. He clarified, the MPC will make sure that the Liberian people are never again misled by such reckless and destructive rhetoric, and President Boakai must be held accountable for his words and actions.”
However, in response to the allegation, the Executive Mansion released a statement stating that President Boakai’s comments were a categorical condemnation of corruption and a demand for honesty in public service and prudent use of public funds, rather than endorsing the vice.
“As a statesman known for his honesty and humility, President Boakai emphasized the need for public officials to reject corruption and use resources entrusted to them for the benefit of the Liberian people,” the statement added.
The statement claimed that the president has reiterated his administration’s strong commitment to good governance and zero tolerance for corruption.
Reported by: Prince Saah
Contact: +231778239813
Email: saahprince119@gmail.com
