Cummings “Asked and Received Resignation” Of Isaac Vah Tukpah – Over Sleazy Tell-All Book -As Liberians Rally against First Lady’s Denigration

MONROVIA – In the wake of the cascading avalanche of public indignation over the uncouth gutter language employed by co-authors Isaac Vah Tukpah and Emmanuel Clark, in their book titled: “GEORGE WEAH: The Dream, The Legend, The Rise To Power”, whose publication muddied the name and image of Liberia’s First Lady Clar Weah in a fashion that is widely being described by every facet of the Liberian society as “despicable”, “nasty” “lewd” and unrepresentative of any serious politician, Alternative National Congress (ANC) Political Leader Alexander B. Cummings has asked his Chief of Office Staff Tukpah to immediately resign.

Making the disclosure Tuesday in a statement issued on social media, Mr. Cummings said he had asked for and received the immediate resignation of his Chief of Office Staff, Mr. Isaac Vah Tukpah.

“This is despite the fact that a book which is the object of my concern was written long before Isaac joined our team. Since joining the team, Mr. Tukpah has served with diligence and professionalism, and I have come to respect and admire his work. My decision was not taken lightly because I value Isaac’s works and contributions,” Cummings noted.

The opposition ANC political leader further averred that, based on the exceptionally higher standards of alternative leadership that the ANC has set for Liberia and for itself, now and in the future, the party is determined to maintain such standards.

“It means we must stand with all those who are right, when they are right, even if they are not our friends, and refuse to stand with those who are wrong, even if they are our friends and workmates. I will continue to do so because this is the example of the quality of leadership that our country desperately needs to change course, and improve the lives of Liberians,” Cummings stated.

Mr. Cummings further noted in his statement that the book, co-authored by Mr. Tukpah, reveals an alleged discussion by a husband, Mr. George Weah of his wife; and that the revelation of the alleged discussion exposes a deviant behavior in our society in the continuous disrespect and denigration of girls and women.

“I find the publication of the alleged discussion to be an error of judgment which in itself has the effect of enabling and fueling such reprehensible behaviors of men disrespecting women. This certainly does not excuse the alleged disrespectful and privately invasive discussion by a husband of his wife, which I find to be disgraceful and offensive.

“In our response to the President’s SONA, I spoke about the need to cleanse the soul of our nation. As leaders, and especially as men, on issues of gender and equality of women, which stains the nation’s soul, it falls upon all of us, especially men, to be good examples for those younger than us who look up to us, beginning in our own families. We must always show the highest consideration and respect for women and girls, especially our wives,” Cummings stated, hoping that the alleged discussion, by Mr. Weah, at a time he was not yet president of Liberia, as revealed in the book about his wife is not true.

“If it is, it is unacceptable, distasteful and a bad example, which should not be tolerated,” Cummings averred.

In reaction to Mr. Cummings’ axing of his Chief of Office Staff over the controversial book, citizens have begun commending the ANC political leaders for his stance.

Taking to social media Tuesday, Cummings’ former advisor, Taa Wongbe, effusively wrote thanking Mr. Cummings for taking such a bold step.

“Thank you, Alexander B. Cummings, for your exemplary show of decisive leadership. I honestly anticipated a “no response” from you so I drafted a post – waiting to whip you if you didn’t. The post read, “And yet…no news and action from ABC. He remains a bobo like JNB…and yet, the perpetrators benefit from book sales because the book is still online. Perhaps they think this will blow away like any other news in Liberia,” Mr. Wongbe stated.

“You have indeed shown leadership. Thank you! However, I am stunned that some people who are so quick to criticize you politically were defending Mo Ali’s actions last year. For a fact, both cases were not a crime, but an expression of bad judgment and yet no action was taken by JNB.  This is a straight parallel, in my view, in terms of decisive action and what the Liberian people should expect if one of these guys becomes president. On one hand, a man who cannot take decisive action when one of his senior people shows lack of good judgment and has a group of bandits and sycophants to back that person and another who shows decisive actions! This, for me, is why I am critical of EVERYONE who wants to remove President Weah! This, for me, is why it becomes extremely difficult to ever support UP and JNB. Thank you again, ABC!” Taa Wongbe stated emphatically.

Also commenting on Mr. Cummings’ action against his COS, Annie Jackson of Paynesville Red Light commented on a local talk show about her added respect for Mr. Cummings.

“This is the kind of leader Liberia needs in this dark hour. Someone who can look you in the face, even if you are his brother or sister, and tell you straight up you are wrong,” Madam Jackson noted.

According to Yasa Bridget Momolu who took to social media immediately following Mr. Cummings’ statement, “effective leadership is not about being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.” You delivered today, Mr. Cummings, and we applaud your swift ingenuity. Please, have a good night’s rest.”

Unlike anything seen before, the resounding public outcry over the tell-all book rose to a deafening crescendo as soon as political commentator and talk show host Henry Costa posted contents of the book online on Tuesday.

After the Costa revelation, opposition political and Montserrado County Abraham Darius Dillon immediately changed his Facebook profile photo to that of First Lady Clar Weah, to empathize with her and identify with the plight of Liberian women.

In some quarters, suggestions are already being raised about the type of action that would follow such a publication that not degrades the womanhood of the First Lady, but grossly denigrates President Weah’s late mother.

“We are looking to see what type of action President Weah and his family will take against such invasive publication. The Liberian people are expecting their president to at least say something. We also want to know whether what Tukpah said is true,” James Sumo of Plumkor noted.