By Bill W. Cooper
and Grace Bryant
Bong County Senator, Prince Moye, and Representative Josiah Marvin Cole are said to be in a war of words, accusing each other of corruption and instigating violence in the county.
The accusations from the two Bong legislators have sent shockwaves throughout the county, with many residents expressing concern over the integrity of their elected officials.
The feud between Sen. Moye and Rep. Cole has been simmering for months, with tensions reaching a melting point in recent weeks, leaving Rep. Cole to resign from the County caucus chaired by Sen. Moye.
Both leaders have been at odds over several issues, including the allocation and embezzlement of funds for development projects and institutions, overlapping of functions, and causing chaos in Bong, among others.
Rep. Cole, a member of the former ruling CDC, announcing his resignation from the County Caucus, accused Sen. Moye of being the major root cause for his resignation and ongoing problems in Bong.
He also accused Moye of engaging into what he termed as ‘divisive and unethical behaviors’ that are undermining the integrity of the caucus and the development and stabilization of Bong.
According to him, for so long, Bong County has been into deep conflict that has greatly affected his constituency, all because of Sen. Moye and his associates.
Cole also alleged that Sen. Moye has been in the habit of hijacking the county’s development funds, as well as leading efforts to ensure that unity in the county goes down the drain.
“All of the conflicts that ensued during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson were orchestrated and masterminded by the current Senator of Bong County, Prince Moye, and this man continues to undermine our county in terms of development based on his involvement into series of corruption allegations in the county,” he narrated.
Rep. Cole claimed that Sen. Moye’s actions continue to undermine the development of the county and brew conflicts among young people and actors, which he believes continue to undermine the progress of the county, accusing his colleague of being the mastermind behind the recent demonstration from students at the Bong Technical College, which halted all other activities, including the free movement of residents.
“This same Moye man also supported talks that came on the grounds of the Capitol, protesting that I ate Bong clinic money, but again, I was vindicated. Yet he continues to seek ways to get at me. So, for my safety and the sake of my people, I can never work with Sen. Moye and his likes calling themselves caucus leaders, because all of these individuals lack the moral and I don’t want to associate myself with them,” he added.
But in reaction, Sen. Moye refuted the allegations against his person, and accused Rep. Cole of embezzling funds meant for the County Technical College and rehabilitation a health facility, among others.
Sen. Moye claimed that Cole has been diverting funds into his personal accounts and using them for his own benefit, rather than for the betterment of the community, citing a GAC report as a reliance.
According to Sen. Moye, Rep. Cole is on record for brutalizing several citizens of the county, including a pastor, healthcare workers, and a Liberian journalist, among others.
He maintained that the County Representative is also a divisive and corrupt figure who has always benefited from and stolen the county’s development and other funds, at the detriment of the county dwellers.
“But let me say this, that gone are those days that Rep. Cole will use this county as means of getting ill-wealth from Bong, and with the support of my colleagues, Rep. Cole will be made to account for all he has stolen from our people,” he emphasized.
The Bong County Senator, backed by his Caucus members, are also calling for a full investigation into Cole’s activities, and demanded that he be held accountable for his actions in Bong.
Meanwhile, Sen. Moye has thrown an open challenge to his colleague, saying, “I challenge this Representative to show me any document or audit report that I, Sen. Moye, ate or stole a cent from Bong County development, or any other funds.”
“If Rep. Cole, or any Liberian for that matter, provides the evidence involving me into act of violence or corruption, I will resign as Senator of Bong County and also subject myself to investigation and subsequent prosecution,” he said.
