Africa-Press – Liberia. Tensions are rising within the ranks of the ruling Unity Party (UP) as a group of aggrieved supporters staged a peaceful protest early Monday on the grounds of the Bong County Administration Building, demanding the immediate dismissal of County Superintendent Hawa Norris.
Gbarnga, Bong County – June 10, 2025 — The demonstrators, who identified themselves as staunch loyalists of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, accused Superintendent Norris of neglecting the interests of grassroots supporters who they claim were instrumental in securing the party’s victory during the 2023 general elections.
Waving placards with slogans such as “We want a superintendent who suffered with us” and “Loyalty deserves reward,” the protesters voiced their frustration over what they described as systemic marginalization of party faithful in favor of individuals with no established ties to the UP.
Reading a petition on behalf of the group, spokesperson George Flomo alleged that since taking office, Superintendent Norris has consistently failed to recommend or appoint known UP loyalists to influential county-level positions.
“This is a betrayal of the sacrifices we made for the Unity Party,” Flomo declared. “We labored in the rain and sun to ensure victory, but today we are being sidelined.”
Although the identity of the protest organizers remains unclear, political analysts suggest the demonstration signals deeper fractures within the party’s county leadership, highlighting the lingering tensions in the aftermath of the 2023 elections.
Fueling the protest is a recent and controversial donation from President Boakai—a vehicle gifted to Reverend James S. Paye of Christ Vision International Ministries in Gbarnga. Many UP supporters in Bong County see Rev. Paye, perceived as a close associate of Superintendent Norris, as a political outsider who did not align with the party during the elections.
Critics argue that the president’s public gesture toward Rev. Paye symbolizes an increasing influence of non-UP affiliates within Bong County’s local governance structure trend they say is sidelining loyal party supporters.
One protester, who spoke under condition of anonymity, warned that such actions could deepen existing divisions within the Unity Party.
“This kind of favoritism will only hinder our unity in Bong County. We need leaders who recognize those who stood by the party during difficult times,” the protester said.
The protestors also expressed concern about Rev. Paye’s frequent presence near the superintendent’s office, describing it as a “threat to equitable access to government opportunities.” They called for a swift replacement of Superintendent Norris with a figure they termed a “loyal partisan.”
Accepting the petition on behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Regional Gender Coordinator for Bong, Lofa, and Nimba Counties, Mrs. Viola Cooper-Teamah, acknowledged the concerns and made a brief statement encouraging dialogue and patience as the matter is reviewed.
Security personnel from the Bong County Police Detachment monitored the protest closely but reported no violence or arrests. The demonstration remained peaceful throughout the morning hours.
As of press time, Superintendent Hawa Norris had not responded publicly to the allegations. Efforts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful.
This development highlights growing intra-party tensions and raises questions about how the Unity Party will manage political patronage and loyalty in the post-election period. With grassroots support crucial for maintaining political stability, many now look to President Boakai and the party’s national leadership for a response that could either ease tensions or further inflame them, in one of the ruling party’s key strongholds.
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