Former Nimba County District Four Representative, Cllr. Garrison Yealue, has called on the people of Nimba to preserve the county's tradition of "unity in diversity." Speaking on Radio Kergheamahn 94.5 FM, Yealue emphasized that Nimba's strength lies in its broad political inclusion rather than loyalty to a single party. He urged citizens to resist efforts that concentrate power within a narrow group and protect the county's pluralist political culture.
Yealue praised former President George Manneh Weah for strengthening democracy, citing laws passed during his administration, including the Freedom of Information Act and amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. He also commended Weah for peacefully accepting electoral defeat, saying, "He was the first president who passed the KAK Act, the Freedom of Speech and Information Act." Yealue added that Weah's actions have strengthened Liberia's democracy.
However, Yealue criticized recent government practices and legislation that threaten civil liberties and media freedom. He specifically mentioned provisions of the cybercrime law and a new Section 28, which would allow the Ministry of Justice to seize phones and laptops without timely judicial oversight. Yealue announced plans to challenge the constitutionality of Section 28 in the Supreme Court.
On local governance and development, Yealue accused the administration of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung of failing to direct promised resources to Nimba despite national budget growth. He questioned how the government's reported one-billion-dollar budget has improved ordinary Liberians' lives in the county and argued that revenue-sharing laws have not been respected.
Yealue also discussed his approach to politics, saying he practices cross-party solidarity at the local level, providing free legal services to officials and assisting constituents regardless of affiliation. He stressed that unity should not become favoritism or transactional politics, adding, "I did not do it for money; I did it because I love Nimba."
Responding to critics who call his stance divisive, Yealue pointed out that his aim is reconciliation and inclusion. He warned young people against abandoning elders and tradition for short-term political gains, saying, "Before you build a house, you must set a strong foundation, ours is unity in diversity." Yealue also discussed the prospect of the Congress for Democratic Change returning to power.
Yealue concluded by urging Nimbaians to remain engaged, defend democratic rights, and work across party lines to secure jobs, development, and political representation for the county. He also warned that rollbacks to the Freedom of Information Act, revenue-sharing, and other reforms could weaken democratic protections and local autonomy if a leading opposition figure's planned return to national politics is successful.
Key points
- Yealue praises Weah's democratic record and warns of threats to civil liberties
- Yealue accuses the current administration of failing to direct resources to Nimba
- Yealue urges Nimbaians to preserve unity in diversity and defend democratic rights
