By Bill W. Cooper
Senate Pro-tempore Albert Chie is urging Liberians to be careful as the election approaches and absorb well whatever is heard and read before coming to a conclusion.
At his first interaction with legislative reporters in the second segment of the 6th session at the Capitol Building yesterday, the presiding officer of the 54th Legislature said, ‘Political lies, character assassination, rumors and fabrication with the intent to deceive the masses will be the order of the day.”
Speaking on several issues but specifically to the recent allegations that he donated vehicles to the opposition Unity Party (UP) as logistics empowerment ahead of the Presidential and Legislative elections, Chie described said information as ‘baseless and unfounded’.
In what appeared to be a sharp reaction, Pro-temp Chie termed the allegation as a mare campaign to discredit him and undermine his leadership at the Liberian Senate, noting that such propaganda is only intended to distract his attention from ongoing election activities ahead of the polls.
He stressed that at no time did he purchase any vehicle or make donation of any kind, directly or indirectly or request any individual or business, directly or indirectly, to make a donation to the UP or any other opposition political party, institution and individual.
According to Pro-temp Chie, these lies are said to have started as the result of panic by some people when information posted on the social media claimed that the UP had acquired 15 pickups and 73 motor bikes for their campaign purposes.
He explained that said situation is now being used by people he considered as opportunists who are constantly placing inciting information on social media intended to mock, confuse and dislodge the CDC in the upcoming election.
The Grand Kru County Senator noted that the UP is quite aware that he has made no donation to its institution, and openly challenged anyone in the country to provide evidence that he has made a donation of vehicles or any item, directly or indirectly, to any opposition political party.
Meanwhile, Pro-temp Chie added, “I am saying this because I’m not a traitor and will in no way betrayed the CDC for any political party.”
Senator Chie at the same time reaffirmed his support and commitment to fully support the CDC and admonished members and supporters of the party not to believe the allegations against him but rather reenergize and work together strategically to ensure the reelection of President Weah.
He therefore called on his partisans to avoid intruders from dividing them to achieve their goals adding, “let us remain focused and steadfast in achieving our mandate.”