Home Opinion Editorials Is The CDC Government Here to Defend the Liberian Constitution?
Is The CDC Government Here to Defend the Liberian Constitution?
John H. T. Stewart
Every national leader, when inducted into office, takes an oath or affirmation to defend the laws of that institution or country, and to protect the people and their culture. Article 53(a) of the Liberian Constitution says "The President and the Vice President shall, before entering on the execution of the duties of their respective offices, take a solemn oath or affirmation to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and laws of the Republic and faithfully execute the duties of the office.
The oath or affirmation shall be administered in joint session of both Houses of the Legislature by the Chief Justice or, in his absence, the most senior Associate Justice. By this tradition and custom, our leaders, President George Manneh Weah and Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, on January 22, 2018 took an oath of affirmation to protect the Liberian Constitution, defend it and observe all other laws and customs and execute duties of their respective offices.
Contrary to the oath both President Weah and Vice President Taylor took, we are witnessing with apprehension that Vice President Taylor appears to be side-stepping the Constitution and has this early, in the life of this government, begun displaying tendencies reminiscent of the dictatorial behavior of her husband and ex-President Charles Taylor, mainly through her utterances and official comportment.
Prior to departing for Israel, VP Jewel Howard Taylor met the people of Bong County and told them that "This is our time to eat. We will eat but we are going to do it in a way that everybody will be able to eat." In an audio played on several radio stations and transferred to social media, Vice President Taylor demanded the local authorities of Bong County to join the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) or risk losing their job. And those seeking jobs will not be employed if they do not meet this condition.
This is a statement least expected of such a high profile official of government. How does Vice President Taylor, a former Senator who, in keeping with Article 8 of the Constitution, serves as President of the Liberian Senate, make such a divisive statement? Article 8 says in part, "The Republic (meaning, Liberia) shall direct its policy towards ensuring for all citizens, without discrimination, opportunities for employment and livelihood under just and humane conditions."
Further, how does the Vice President reconcile her statement, "This is our time to eat," to Article 7 of the Constitution which states, "The Republic shall, consistent with the principles of individual freedom and social justice enshrined in the Constitution, manage the national economy and the natural resources of Liberia in such manner as shall ensure the maximum feasible participation of Liberian citizens under conditions of equality as to advance the general welfare of the Liberian people and the economic development of Liberia"?
Moreover, as highly educated as Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor is, she appears to be poorly knowledgeable about the role of a Vice President such that she, in seeming disrespect and disregard for her boss will make forays abroad without official permission and without notice to her principal, President George M. Weah. A few weeks back she admitted on public radio that there was disenchantment between her and the President, and she blamed herself because she left the country on a number of occasions without informing him.
As a lawyer and former Senator, VP Taylor is expected to be fully conversant with Article 51 of the Liberian Constitution which states in part that the Vice President shall attend cabinet meetings, other governmental meetings and perform other functions as the President shall delegate or deem appropriate. Common sense and courtesy should have prevailed on the VP to inform the President about her trips outside the country even if such trips were private.
In this regard, her "mea culpa" (an acknowledgment of one's fault or error) clearly shows that she had been much too arrogant and self-conceited in the conduct of her duties and responsibilities. But the display of self-conceit and blatant disregard of Article 7 of the Constitution cannot be attributed to Vice President Taylor alone.
A CDC lawmaker, Acarus Gray of Montserrado District 8, reacting to the Vice President's remarks declared that she was right to declare "This is our time to eat." Gray said, "Others were there and ate theirs, and therefore it was time for the CDC to eat too." Also, in similar fashion, the City Mayor designate of Brewerville, Bedell Fahn, disobeyed the Civil Law Court when he and others were invited to appear for hearings in a land case.
Such pronouncements and demonstrated behavior of Vice President Taylor and some CDC stalwarts provides more than sufficient reasons basis for the ordinary people to believe that the oath taken to defend the Liberian Constitution and to execute duties of offices assigned them was a cosmetic and ceremonial activity to deceive the public. But the Vice President and her cohorts have to be mindful and conscious of the power of the people who elected them.
The statement made does not only portray divisiveness along party lines, but it also tends to reinforce the culture of impunity which played no small part in taking the country down a slippery slope and leading it into a prolonged civil war.
We urge Vice President Taylor to retract this statement publicly and refrain from exhibiting or encouraging dictatorial tendencies now appearing to be characteristic of the style of governance under President Weah, which appears completely at odds with a Pro Poor policy and paradigm shift.
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Call Me John Doe June 1, 2018 At 8:11 am
Thanks for a well written article! Like I always say, the problem lies in the fact that Liberians (not all, but a good majority) are like sheep following the shepherd to the slaughter. It has become the norm in this country for politicians to act in the manner they see fit, because they already foresee that our people will not react. Furthermore, most of our folks are ignorant as to how " stewards" of the country should behave, and even remotely conceiving the idea of bringing them to accountability for their actions is far fetched, partly due to fear instilled in the people, their status as government officials, our partly corrupt justice system as well as the ensuing persecution(they will silence anyone if they want to) one might be subjected to should you be pursued! They use gangsters and other security agencies as their "long arm" to go after those they deem or categorized as threat.
Liberia is a democratic country (at least officially) and that being the case, it's expected that the leaders display a tolerant and inclusive attitude. A positive attitude might even help "win souls" over to your party.I will not be surprised if the woman runs for NPP in the next elections against Weah (CDC)! She is now preparing that path. Bring this woman to her senses or the country, No No No, we will not tolerate this! This is Liberia, don't take us back into the shadowy days when your husband ruined our country, propelling us several years back in time. We are now trying to make up for the lost time , to catch up with other nations in terms of development, education etc..
Martin Scott June 1, 2018 At 4:14 pm
The VP is the the poster child for the Weah administration's shameful culture of corruption, cronyism, and lawlessness! Her comments reflect THEIR mantra: "This is our time to eat".
Alpha Conneh June 2, 2018 At 1:47 am
An anonymous philosopher once said, "The people with whom you work reflect your own attitude. If you are suspicious, unfriendly and condescending, you will find these unlovely traits echoed all about you. But if you are on your best behavior, you will bring out the best in the persons with whom you are going to spend most of your waking hours."
No! VP Jewel Howard Taylor and Acarus Gray, service to your nation does not mean, "This is our time to eat." Nor, does service to your nation mean "We will eat but we are going to do it in a way that everybody will be able to eat." As one political analyst described, "To give real service as a leader, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity."
VP Jewel Howard Taylor and your disciples, anything short of this will resurrect Liberia's ugly history of tyrannical and dictatorial regimes (including your ex-husband Charles Taylor) that plunged Liberia into chaos, uncountable death and destruction.
Also, VP Jewel Howard Taylor, your attempt to undermine President Weah's authority is not going unnoticed as eloquently described in this editorial. How can a VP leave the country on personal matter without letting the office of the President know your travel schedule and agenda?
Your defiance of authority is matter national security, respect for the constitution, and respect for your boss. The old Liberian Attitude of "Do you know who I am" created a great divide among the elitists and the populists. Your elitist attitude is a gross insubordination to our populist President. An official written or formal (face-to-face) apology is highly recommended.
VP Jewel Howard Taylor, you are no longer a Senator, where you can go on agriculture break or leave for your private farm without informing other members of the Senate of your where about. You are now the Vice President. You need to answer to the Liberian people and your boss President Weah.
V. P. Jewel Howard Taylor, since you became first lady of Liberia, your lack of team-work attitude in this "Pro-Poor" government of President Weah shows that you are promoting your own image for your personal political aggrandizement. You're finding it difficult to answer to your boss President Weah.
Is it due to your past position as Liberia's First Lady coupled with your level of education and lengthy position as Bong County Senator: even though you cannot show tangible economic development you brought to your constituency during your lengthy service as their Senator?
I predict that this fragile coalition (CDC) will be dismantled at the end of the mandated six years Presidential term. This will give her (V.P.JHT) the opportunity she long desires: to run for Presidential post (to bring back her jailed husband's agenda) she so suspiciously covets.
Don't say I didn't warn you members of the now defunct Congress for Democratic Change!!!
John Kpakolo June 4, 2018 At 4:02 am
No Alpha, if Jewel Howard Taylor continues to disrespect not only president Weah but her role as vice-president as well, the CDC needs not wait for six long years before correcting that foolishness. Liberia needs the full input, cooperation and loyalty of the vice-president for running the affairs of the country, and not the personal agenda of that individual. By the grace of God, this lady was overpowered by the holy spirit to forewarn us during the campaign of things to come if elected, "The Taylor agenda!" We all remember the Taylor style of leadership very well. Nightmarish, come to think of it. We pray that swift and appropriate action will be taken to suppress any semblance of the emergence of that dreadful and horrific experience of an "agenda."
Nincompoop Idiot June 2, 2018 At 5:52 am
I wondering who is this John H.T. Stewart – he writes very well.
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