The Standard Bearer of the Unity Party (UP), Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai, has condemned, in the highest term, the attack on Senator Prince Johnson’s church by individuals claiming to be partisans of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) and, by extension, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). Ambassador Boakai described the incident as the height of intolerance and indecency.
A few hours after the incident, Ambassador Boakai wrote, “Fellow Liberians, a few hours ago we sadly witnessed a group of young people believed to be acting under the banner of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) violently besieged the Christ Chapel of Faith Ministry of Evangelist Prince Y. Johnson, and unfortunately disrupted normal Church service.
“I condemn this in the highest term and would like to emphasize that such lawless and violent conduct should be repudiated by all Liberians on every side of the political spectrum.
“I must say that such a brazen act of thuggery is without a shred of doubt reprehensible, inconceivable, unacceptable, and sheer provocation. And It is shameful that such lawlessness is done in the name of Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor said to be a Lawyer, who by oath bears greater responsibility to uphold the rule of law and respect the constitutional rights of others.
“As leaders, we should at no point in time incite and lure our followers, especially our dear youths, into violence and anti-peace maneuverings against others who hold opposing political views to ours. In our political differences and no matter how high tension may flare in these 2023 election debates, we are duty-bound to uphold the peace of our country and constantly admonish our followers to remain law-abiding, moderate, and tolerant of opposing sides.
“As Liberians, we bear testament to the severe consequences of the civil conflict which eviscerated our country for fifteen years. Hence, I can’t emphasize enough the significance of peace and the compelling duty we all share in protecting this peace.
“It is the height of intolerance and indecency to have unleashed thugs on evangelist Prince Y. Johnson and members of his congregation merely on account of political differences. This runs contrary to the values of our cherished democracy and undermines the hard-earned peace we in the opposition have endeavored to uphold, against all odds, over these difficult and revealing five to six years of the Weah-Taylor government.
“However, in the face of this unwarranted provocation, we find consolation in the fact that Senator Prince Y. Johnson demonstrated maturity and leadership by immediately cutting off his church service and disbursing his members to avoid the temptation of bloodshed. I would like to commend him for his leadership, both as an evangelist and a political leader, and for this, I give him my salute.
“In ending, let me reecho my mantra, in all that we do as political leaders and Liberians generally, let’s Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia.”
