Africa-Press – Liberia. Political tensions in Bong County flared again this week as District Three Representative Marvin Cole launched a sweeping and heated attack on former District Five Representative Edward Karfiah, accusing him of fueling the recent upheaval at the House of Representatives and exploiting his political connections for personal advancement.
Rep. Cole’s remarks followed the controversial elevation of Bong County District Two Representative James Kolleh to the post of Chairman on Rules, Order and Administration — a position held by Rep. Cole.
He insisted that his removal was not an ordinary legislative adjustment but the product of a calculated effort allegedly driven by Karfiah with assistance from Vice President Jeremiah Koung.
Rep. Kolleh’s close political ties to Karfiah, widely acknowledged in Bong County, have fueled Rep. Cole’s assertions that the committee reshuffle was orchestrated rather than procedural.
Speaking on a local radio program Sunday, Rep. Cole claimed that Karfiah himself acknowledged his role in supporting the political standoff that disrupted activities at the House and ultimately led to Rep. Cole’s displacement from the committee leadership.
“Karfiah admitted that he sponsored the impasse at the House,” Rep. Cole stated. “He did it with the help of his friend, Vice President Jeremiah Koung.”
According to Rep. Cole, the motive behind the move was to secure Rep. Kolleh’s rise and to undermine his own standing in the Legislature.
Rep. Cole, who served under former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor during her days in the Senate, accused Karfiah — also a former office staff to Howard-Taylor — of mismanaging resources and manipulating opportunities meant for residents of the county.
“He drained the office of former Vice President Howard-Taylor,” Rep. Cole alleged. “He interfered with the scholarship programs that were supposed to help our people.”
Rep. Cole further accused Karfiah of using his position in Howard-Taylor’s office to divert large sums of money.
“I was there. I know these things firsthand,” he said. “Let him come publicly and deny it. If he does, I will resign.”
Throughout the discussion, Rep. Cole repeatedly described Karfiah as a political figure who aligns himself only where he sees personal gain. “He is an opportunist,” Rep. Cole said. “When Margibi County senator Emmanuel Nuquay lost power in 2017, he immediately ran to former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah.”
Rep. Cole added that Karfiah allegedly used his influence on the Public Accounts Committee to clear audit reports that flagged questionable financial dealings involving former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah.
“Samuel Tweah is being prosecuted, but the reports that implicated him were cleared by Karfiah,” Rep. Cole claimed. He suggested that the political relationship between Karfiah and Tweah was extremely close.
Rep. Cole further accused Karfiah of increasing his public visibility now not out of service, but out of ambition to contest for the Senate in 2029.
“You will see him at every social program because he wants to be senator,” Rep. Cole said. “If he wasn’t thinking about becoming senator, he wouldn’t be making these contributions.”
Rep. Cole warned residents of Bong County to be wary of Karfiah, describing him as “a serious danger” to the country’s governance. “He poses a greater threat than even Senator Moye,” Rep. Cole argued.
In a clear political declaration, Rep. Cole revealed that he would consider entering the senatorial race specifically to prevent Karfiah from reaching the seat.
“If I had no intention of running, the moment Karfiah decides to contest, I will run,” he vowed. “I cannot allow him to reach the Senate without challenge.”
However, he added that any final decision regarding his political future “rests with God.”
The District Three lawmaker used the opportunity to criticize the Unity Party administration, asserting that Bong County has seen little to no progress under its leadership.
“I told the people of Bong County not to vote for the Unity Party in 2023,” Rep. Cole cautioned. “Two years have passed, and there is nothing tangible we can point to.”
He compared this period unfavorably to the George Weah administration, claiming that initiatives such as scholarship funding were more active when he worked within that network.
Rep. Cole also defended his recent political alignment with the Citizens Movement for Change political party, saying he accepted their outreach after receiving commitments for significant infrastructure development.
“I have six major bridges that need to be constructed in Bong County,” he explained. “Once they agreed to undertake those projects, I decided to align with them.” He insisted that his decisions are always aimed at benefiting his people.
As of publication time, Karfiah has not responded to any of the allegations made by Rep. Cole. Attempts to reach his office for comment were unsuccessful.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
