Bill W. Cooper
The ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has nominated sanctioned Nathaniel Farlo McGill as the party’s senatorial candidate of Margibi County in the upcoming October elections.
Despite the U.S. Government’s warning of a possible sanction against anyone doing business with sanctioned government officials, the ruling CDC has glaringly proven to be heavily supporting McGill and Bill Tweahway in their respective quests to become senators.
Many political pundits have already begun watching and cataloging the negative impacts on the government and country on grounds that the CDC-led government’s refusal to adhere to the US government’s sanction mandate is a complete disrespect and an affront to the diplomatic ties.
On August of 2022, McGill, former Chief of Office Staff to President George Weah and Tweahway, former Director of the National Port Authority (NPA) and Sayma Syrenuius Cephus, former Solicitor General of Liberia were placed on individual sanction by the United States Treasury Department for public corruption.
But following their sanction, President Weah immediately suspended McGill, Tweahway and Cephus but the three sanctioned officials later bowed to public pressure and resigned their respective post.
In what appeared to be a total disregard to the U.S. government’s warning, McGill ad Tweahway announced their quests to contest the senatorial seat after their resignation from government and it is without doubt that the government continues to financially support them evidenced by the CDC’s primary over the weekend in Margibi where McGill was elected on white ballot.
The CDC local Chairperson, Daddy Gibson cast the symbolic vote for McGill and with his nomination, McGill has now overcome a major hurdle in his quest to return to politics, this time, as an elected official.
However, his attention is now focused on the National Elections Commission (NEC) which has the authority to either accept or reject his application to contest even though it seems impossible.
Meanwhile, McGill is also looking up to the Supreme Court, which is expected to hear a complaint filed against him and his sanctioned colleagues by a group of Liberians calling on the High Court to compel the state to prosecute them for their alleged crimes.
In response to his nomination, McGill thanked the CDC primary organizing committee including the people of Margibi County for their support and confidence impose in him to contest the upcoming polls.
He assured them of his willingness to provide quality leadership as well as to adequately represent the county at the Legislature precisely the Liberian Senate if elected as Senator.
Commenting on his decision of pushing to contest the election in Margibi and not his county of birth, Gbarpolu, McGill attributed his decision to the need to help reconcile the leadership and citizens in the county.
“We have come to work with the leadership of Margibi, companies and the leadership and members of the legislative caucus to solve problems. We are not here to divide our people; we are here to unite our people. Margibi has lots of problems,” McGill stated.
“Everyone has a stake in Margibi and we can’t do with division. That’s the purpose for which I’m coming to Margibi. There are lots of problems that need to be solved than just fighting each other,” the CDC stalwart noted.
He also cautioned his supporters against attacking others who do not support his ambition, stating, “Reconciliation is cardinal and you see it in my attitude. Democracy requires the exchange of ideas and disagreement. Disagreement is civility and it does not mean we are enemies. We should find a way to solve our problems than to fight.”
Mr. McGill maintained that though there may be disagreements ahead of the elections, citizens should avoid disagreeing or taking steps or actions to fuel disunity in the county as well as provoke election violence.
Meanwhile, McGill further vowed to fight to ensure that employees of concession companies receive better packages after following their retirement. “There are too many opportunities; our people need jobs and the issue of retirement benefits for employees in the concession areas.”
“Our people work so hard and when they are retired, they should get better retirement benefits. Those are the things we will be fighting for since in fact, this area employs lot of people,” he added.
