Grand Kru County District 1 Representative, Nathaniel Bahway, has clarified his recent allegation against President-elect Joseph Boakai of offering each lawmaker US$25,000 to vote for Representative Richard Koon of the UP during the Speakership election.
The Grand Kru County Representative, who was reelected by his constituency during the October 10, 2023 general elections, clarified, “If I talked about the US$25,000 from President-elect Boakai, then it was a mistake because I was confused.”
Boakai only promised us US$5,000 during the meeting we had with him. It was for us to help our constituents celebrate and form part of the inauguration and not money to influence our decision to vote for Rep. Koon as is being speculated,” he said.
Rep. Bahway’s clarification comes days after he told the public that Boakai offered each lawmaker US$25,000 during a gathering at his Rehab residence with lawmakers, raising speculations about potential interference with legislative politics.
The Grand Kru County lawmaker furthered that, irrespective of the fact that the offer comes in the wake of the pending Speaker election, he does not see the promised US$25,000 as bribery, but rather, as a development fund.
“I was there when the old man (Joseph Boakai) made it clear that he would be giving US$25,000 to each lawmaker so that they will see reason and support their district. I have not received mine yet but I will receive it,” he added.
However, the Director of Political Affairs in the office of the President-elect, Mo Ali, has since denied the allegation, revealing that Boakai only offered to give lawmakers US$5,000 each for the celebration of the inauguration in all 73 districts in the country.
Ali further narrated that Rep. Bahway apparently misquoted the President-elect’s US$5,000 as US$25,000, calling on the Grand Kru County Rep. to do needful next time through truth telling as a policymaker in the country.
Addressing a press conference over the weekend, Rep. Bahway emphasized that his previous remarks were made in error due to confusion, indicating that at the time of his initial statement, he was under a great deal of stress and confusion.
Responding to the question from the Journalist, Bahway also acknowledged that the information he had shared was inaccurate and retracted the allegation, stating that it was indeed a mistake and misstep on his part.
The Grand Kru County District 1 lawmaker also expressed his regret for the confusion caused by his previous remarks and reassured the public that he holds the utmost respect for President-elect, Joseph Boakai.
He emphasized that his intention was never to spread misinformation or to malign the character of the President-elect, instead, he attributed his earlier statements to a lapse in judgment and an honest mistake which he so regrets.
Commenting on the Speaker election, Rep. Bahway said he remains committed to ensuring that Rep. Richard Nagbe Koon of the UP emerges as the next Speaker of the 55th Legislature.
This, he added, “This has been and is my decision for this year’s Speakership election. I know people will wonder as to why I’m not supporting Mr. Koffa, even though we are from the same county, but my answer to that is I believe Koon is the best person for the job.”
Meanwhile, since the allegation by Rep. Bahway, there has been a shift in public perception of the incoming administration of President-elect Joseph Boakai’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in government.
This has also left many wondering about the President-elect’s ability not to interfere with the workings of the Legislative and Judiciary Branches of government, ensuring check and balance for the progress and growth of Liberia.
