MONROVIA – A significant controversy has erupted throughout the Unity Celebration in Bong County following President Joseph Boakai’s donation of a four-door pickup to Rev. James S. Paye, Senior Pastor of Christ Imaginative and prescient Worldwide Ministries.
By Selma Lomax | [email protected]
The present, reportedly facilitated by Bong County Superintendent Hawa Norris, has sparked anger amongst social gathering loyalists and deepened tensions between Pastor Paye and Senator Prince Moye.
In accordance with sources, Superintendent Norris — who reportedly took her non secular father, Pastor Paye, to fulfill President Boakai — reportedly satisfied the president that Paye had supported the Unity Celebration and was deserving of recognition.
Nonetheless, this gesture has not gone down effectively with pro-Unity Celebration pastors and leaders who say Pastor Paye brazenly supported the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) through the 2023 elections.
Senator Prince Moye is alleged to be particularly displeased with the superintendent’s actions. Moye, in response to Unity Celebration insiders, feels betrayed, noting that many UP-aligned pastors devoted time and assets to Boakai’s marketing campaign whereas Paye, identified for his shut ties with former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, aligned himself with the CDC.
“This isn’t nearly a car,” a Unity Celebration insider stated. “It’s about betrayal. Loyal partisans and pastors are being ignored, whereas somebody who campaigned in opposition to us is being rewarded by the President.”
Superintendent Norris’s involvement has drawn additional scrutiny. She is accused of utilizing her long-standing private relationship with President Boakai to empower people perceived as opponents of the Unity Celebration.
Some social gathering members allege that Norris is utilizing her place to construct political alliances for a rumored 2029 consultant bid, reportedly in search of to convey each Unity Celebration and CDC supporters below her wing.
“We see Superintendent Norris as an opposition in disguise,” one offended partisan informed FrontPageAfrica. “She’s dividing the social gathering forward of the 2029 election, and we are going to petition the Government Committee to take motion.”
This isn’t the primary time Norris has used her workplace to advertise Pastor Paye. In a earlier occasion, she reportedly collaborated with him and the Success Enterprise Heart on a fencing mission for the county administration constructing, costing over US$100,000.
Frustration continues to construct amongst UP-aligned pastors and grassroots organizers. Many say their sacrifices through the election have gone unacknowledged, whereas Paye — considered as an ally of the CDC — is being elevated.
“Pastor Paye used his pulpit to marketing campaign for the CDC,” stated one UP pastor, talking anonymously. “But at the moment, he’s receiving rewards whereas we’re sidelined.”
Amid the uproar, Pastor Paye addressed the matter on his radio station in Gbarnga, thanking President Boakai and describing their relationship as long-standing and private. “Previous man Boakai is a private good friend. I’ve identified him since he was Vice President. He usually visited me in Gbarnga. So, nobody can combat grace,” Paye stated, denying that the pickup was a political reward.
However his remarks quickly turned combative, taking direct swipes at Senator Moye. Paye insinuated that somebody in Bong County believes he alone has entry to President Boakai — a comment broadly interpreted as a jab at Moye.
The rivalry between the 2 dates again to 2011, when Moye launched his political profession by contesting Bong County’s District Two consultant seat— a transfer Pastor Paye reportedly opposed. Their antagonism has deepened over time.
In what seemed to be a warning to Moye over his rumored 2029 vice presidential ambitions, Paye stated, “Individuals who combat their father can’t succeed. In case you hold preventing me, you received’t obtain your objectives. The one method you’ll succeed is if you happen to apologize to me.”
He continued his criticism of Moye, saying, “Leaders are humble, not boastful,” and accusing the senator of making divisions amongst Bong County’s legislative delegation. “You’ve fought all of your colleagues. Now you’re coming to combat the church.”
On the time of publication, Senator Moye had not responded to Pastor Paye’s feedback. Efforts to contact Superintendent Norris have been unsuccessful, as her cellphone rang unanswered.
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