Zargo’s Premature Dismissal Draws Ire -Lofa Elders Unhappy with Boakai’s Action

MONROVIA – It appears that the removal of former Lofa County Senator, Stephen JH. Zargo from the Unity Party Government is not going down well with some elders and leaders of Lofa County. Atty. Zargo, the first appointed Commissioner General of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), who was recently replaced by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai after nine months on the job.

It can be recalled in November of 2024 President Boakai suspended Hon. Zargo as LIS Boss for a definite period of three months without pay – the first time the President had suspended an official of his government with a definite period to return.

Though he did not state the actual cause for the suspension, the President, long after serving his action, and with the hope of returning, a replacement of Atty. Zargo was announced by the Executive Mansion, again without stating a cause.

Though the former Lofa County Senator said he is yet to receive any official communication of his dismissal and for wrong doing from the President, the fact that another person has been appointed in the position means he’s out for good.

Reasons for the suspension and subsequent replacement of Atty. Zargo as LIS Commissioner General still remain despite, with many relating it to allegations of corruption, misappropriation, and refusal to arrest former Finance Minister Samuel Tweh upon his return to the country or deportation of a Guinean who was in Liberia and reportedly got killed in his home country.

However, in an organized, well-coordinated response after about four months since his suspension and replacement, the former senator speaking to local journalists at his residence in Voinjama said, “I heard a lot of stories about my suspension, and subsequent dismissal; that my suspension was as a result of misappropriation.”

Zargo further narrated: “Another account said my refusal to arrest former Finance Minister Samuel Tweh, upon his return in the country. Some said I deported a Guinean who was in Liberia and reportedly got killed in his home country. Sadly, none of the information is true. My letter of suspension speaks to the judgment of the President in his mind that I didn’t do well. I worked 9 months to transform the Immigration Service. The chiefs & elders in Lofa wanted to hear from me about these different stories. Above all, they wanted to know the relationship I have with the President. And I am having a cordial and unique relationship with Pres. Boakai, and he has explicit confidence in me, and I support him 100%. I want to use this public medium to thank the president for the opportunity, and the chiefs have promised to thank him on my behalf.”

Lofa Elders Concerned

A group of elders of the county, mainly of the Lorma tribe, over the weekend gathered at the home of their former Senator to inquire from him reasons that might have led to his replacement as LIS Commissioner General.

The elders who were seen unhappy over the treatment being meted out against their formal senator and respected elder Jorgbor Hamadu Zargo, considering the role he has played on the national and international scene and to have him dismissed without any stated cause.

They outlined some of the many contributions made by Atty.  Zargo in ensuring that the Unity Party was able to take state power in 2023.

According to sources, Zargo, who cut across other tribes in Lofa (Gbandi and Mandingo) in addition to the Lorma, was a very strong pillar for the UP win in Lofa. 

Zargo, out of respect for JNB, purchased a new JAC truck to haul Lofaians and UP supporters from Monrovia Red light to Beyan Town, Salayea, Zorzor and Konia to vote for JNB, a source said.

“We are concerned about the repetition and name of this credible statesman of our County who have served in many key and respectable leadership positions in Liberia as well as in the United Nation,” a chief said during the meeting.

He continued: “For example, he served as Senator of Lofa County for nine (9) years and as member of several committees in the ECOWAS Parliament, Chairman on National Defense and Security amongst others.  We want the President to tell the Liberian people what actually this man did to warrant his replacement from government. We do understand that it is the right of the President to appoint and dismiss individuals in his government without cause.”

However, in the case of such a character like Atty. Zargo, it is good to be clear with his dismissal considering speculations in the public and for the future, another Lofa said, adding: “We want his name to at least be cleared to avoid stigmatization. It is like when it was alleged during the campaign that he was dismissed by former Interim President Dr. Amos Sawyer from the LPRC because of corruption. Dr. Sawyer in the midst of corruption allegations against our current President, he stepped out in his defense that JNB dismissal at the time was not for corruption but other interference from some higher ups than”.

During the meeting, Zargo told his people that he intended to spend more time in the county to engage into meaningful activities aimed at promoting development and the President’s Agenda to move Lofa forward.

“This is Lofa County’s time,” he bragged. “We must take advantage of it and build, but this can only be done if we put aside personal differences, hate and put Lofa first.”

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