Veep Taylor’s Countenance: Did It Ring Bell To Us?

The occasion last Monday when President George Manneh Weah delivered his “Annual Message,” which some people always erroneously refer to as “State of the Nation Address “(SONA),” one of the things of interest was whether or not Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, who is president of the Liberian Senate would be in attendance.

It can be recalled that during the opening of the Third Session of the 54th National legislature on the Capitol Hill recently, she stayed away as a protest for the marginalization of her office, something that can be likened to a carpenter without tools or a ship without compass.

As a result of this protest, it was widely speculated that she may not attend the Annual Message of the President last Monday.

And so on Monday during the occasion at the Capitol Building, there was much focus as to whether she would attend. To the surprise of many, I gathered that she arrived on the grounds in her private car, and not her official vehicle for similar reasons for her conspicuous absence during the official opening of the Legislature.

Even though she attended the occasion perhaps after many pleas to her to reconsider her stance, one thing that remains clear is that the Vice President is still not happy from her “countenance” during the occasion.

Countenance, as a Noun means “a person’s face or facial expression.” It also means, ”the face or its expression. Research says the word comes from a French word for “behavior,” but it has become a fancy term for either the expression of a face or the face itself.

Similarly, the Vice President’s unhappiness was also observed nonverbally. In the field of communication, nonverbal communication is a message “without the use of spoken language; it includes gestures, facial expressions, and body positions (known collectively as “body language”), as well as unspoken understandings and presuppositions, and cultural and environmental conditions that may affect any encounter between people.”

When the absence of the Vice President was noticed, Senate Pro-temp Albert Chie informed the public during the opening ceremony that Vice President Taylor could not attend the opening session owing to pressing situation and as such has therefore asked him to deliver her message.

However, it was later learnt that the Vice President did not attend the occasion to draw attention about the way and manner in which she is being treated as Vice President. Interestingly, in the wake of speculations about her absence, a letter written by her about her plight and reasons for not attending was released.

In that communication, Veep Taylor alluded to allegations pointing to entrenched brawl within the Coalition for Democratic Change particularly the reported soured working relationship between her and her boss, President George Weah.

She said, “I had the privilege to meet with members of the Liberian Senate to inform them of the difficulties I was undergoing with some members of the Executive Branch; as it relates to budgetary support for my office and the need for their intervention.”

She went on: “It was agreed that they would intervene and that things would get better. Unfortunately, I have patiently waited without any word, and the situation has since not improved. I am saddened to inform you, as elders of our Nation, that the situation remains that bills due my office from 2018-2019 are still not paid and the operational expenses which I needed for the effective running or functioning of my office (Office of the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia), during 2018 – 2019 and 2019 – 2020 budget years have not been paid.”

According to her, the continued situation has left her without the proper security arrangements for her safe movements and without the ability to provide necessities for her office.

Furthermore, she said currently, the security vehicles, including two bullet proof vehicles, needed for her movements have still not been provided to her detail. As a result, she had been unable to leave her home over the past three weeks.

“I am therefore constrained to inform this Honorable body that due to the constraints described, I am unable to attend to my duties during this opening of the 3rd Session of the 54th National Legislature 2020; until these constraints are attended to,” she said.

“It is my prayer that this situation will claim your immediate attention and intervention, as I was duly voted into this office and should be empowered to perform my duties as other officials and offices which are being regularly supported; and if such a situation continues to exist, it is my responsibility to inform the Liberian Senate,” She added.

The issue of the Vice President being denied her benefits and entitlements and that she and her boss (President Weah) have soured relationships have been lingering around for many months. It was even highlighted by the preacher of last year’s Independence Day Thanksgiving and Intercessory Service, Rev. Fr. Michael Tuan Sie at the colossal Liberty Church in Johnsonville. To this, President Weah who was at the service did not deny or confirm it.

In her communication to the Senate, Madam Taylor hopes that this situation will claim their immediate attention and intervention, as she was duly voted into this office and should be empowered to perform her duties as other officials and offices which are being regularly supported; and if such a situation continues to exist, it is her responsibility to inform the Liberian Senate.

In the wake of this development, I did a piece in which I called on the Senate to look into the concerns raised by the Vice President. Frankly, from what was observed last Monday, it appears that all is still not well.

By observing the facial expression and also the use of her private car at such official and auspicious occasion, it is logical to deduce that the Vice President is still not happy with the way things are happening.

Once again, I am renewing my appeal to those concerned to do something to reverse this negative trend. These are her entitlements like any other government officials.

This is not about Bong County; it is not about any political party; it is about our Vice President, the second highest office of the land. Hence, this issue of neglect or mistreatment must not be treated with triviality. The sooner the better.

I Rest My Case.