Monrovia – Vice President Jeremiah Koung has revealed that former President George Weah refused to shake his hand during a visit to the home of the late Nimba County Senator Prince Yormie Johnson.
In an interview with the Closing Argument Platform, Koung recalled the incident, which occurred shortly after Senator Johnson’s death last year. He described the interaction as unexpected and noted that Weah’s refusal to acknowledge him raised questions about lingering political tensions.
According to Koung, he arrived at the Johnson residence ahead of other dignitaries to offer his condolences to the family. Later, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf informed him of her intention to visit. When she arrived, Koung greeted her respectfully. However, when former President Weah arrived soon after, the atmosphere shifted.
Koung said he approached Weah’s vehicle to extend a handshake as a gesture of respect, but the former president ignored him. “I thought maybe he had health concerns,” Koung said, “but I was surprised when I saw him shaking hands with other guests, including Labor Minister Cooper Kruah.”
Koung suggested that Weah’s behavior may be linked to his defeat in the 2023 presidential election, where Koung served as running mate to Joseph Boakai. The Unity Party ticket ousted Weah’s Coalition for Democratic Change, ending his bid for a second term.
“If the election result still bothers you, then you’ll have to live with it for the next five years,” Koung remarked. “I had my ambitions just like you did, and nothing can change the fact that I am now Vice President.”
He also revealed that Weah declined to greet Nimba County Representative Samuel Kogar, a close relative of the late Senator Johnson. Koung warned that such behavior only deepens political divisions and urged Weah to accept the reality of his electoral loss.
