NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has forcefully rejected allegations made by former lawmaker Yekeh Kolubah concerning President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s condolence visit to her family following the death of her son, describing the claims as “completely false,” “malicious,” and a dangerous attack on the dignity of Liberia’s national leadership.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
In a strongly worded public statement titled “Stop the Wanton Abuse and Disrespect of National Leaders,” Howard-Taylor accused Kolubah of fabricating an incident that she said never occurred during President Boakai’s visit to her residence after the passing of her son, Charles Neilson Philip Taylor IV.
The former Vice President dismissed the allegations without qualification, insisting that the claims were not only untrue but also deeply disrespectful to the memory of her late son and the solemn period of mourning experienced by her family.
“I wish to state, without fear or reservation, that this allegation is completely false and disrespectful. No such incident occurred,” Howard-Taylor declared.
She said the alleged account was a deliberate fabrication that unfairly tarnished the Office of the President while exploiting a deeply personal family tragedy for political purposes.
Howard-Taylor recalled that following her son’s death, Liberians from across the political divide, religious communities, and all sectors of society visited her family to offer sympathy and support. Among those visitors, she noted, was President Boakai, whose visit she described as one of many sincere expressions of compassion extended during one of the most painful moments of her life.
According to her, the President’s condolence visit should never be manipulated or distorted to fuel political attacks or sensational public narratives.
“The loss of a child is one of life’s deepest sorrows,” she said, adding that the period of mourning should have remained above partisan politics.
The former Vice President used the occasion to condemn what she described as the growing culture of misinformation, character assassination, and the abuse of national leaders for political gain.
She warned that such behavior threatens Liberia’s democratic values by undermining respect for state institutions and poisoning public discourse.
Howard-Taylor, who has served Liberia as First Lady, Senator, and Vice President, said democracy can only flourish when political actors uphold truth, integrity, and respect for public institutions regardless of political differences.
She argued that deliberate falsehoods, particularly those surrounding moments of grief and compassion, weaken national unity and send dangerous signals to younger generations about acceptable political conduct.
“The growing culture of character assassination, misinformation, lies and the abuse and vilification of national leaders for political gain diminishes our public discourse, erodes respect for state institutions, and sends the wrong message to the younger generation,” she asserted.
The former Vice President emphasized that policy disagreements should never become an excuse for spreading false information or attacking individuals during moments of personal loss.
Calling for higher standards in Liberia’s political environment, Howard-Taylor urged leaders and citizens alike to embrace responsible public conduct rooted in honesty, mutual respect, and national reconciliation.
She specifically called on former Representative Yekeh Kolubah to withdraw the allegation immediately and publicly apologize.
Howard-Taylor demanded that Kolubah apologize not only to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai but also to the Liberian people and her family for what she characterized as an unfounded and malicious accusation introduced into the national conversation.
“I therefore call upon Mr. Yekeh Kolubah… to immediately retract the statement and apologize to the Liberian people, to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and to my family for introducing such a malicious and unfounded claim into the public space,” she said.
Concluding her statement, Howard-Taylor appealed for a more respectful political culture in Liberia, urging political actors to compete over policies and ideas rather than falsehoods and personal attacks.
“Let us disagree on policies. Let us debate ideas. But let us never sacrifice truth, decency, and respect at the altar of politics,” she concluded.
The statement represents one of Howard-Taylor’s strongest public interventions in recent months, as she publicly defended President Boakai against allegations she maintains are entirely fabricated while calling for greater civility and accountability in Liberia’s political discourse.
