Assistant Minister for Urban Affairs at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mike Jabateh, has clarified that his recent threats against Representative Yekeh Kolubah were mere bluffs intended to draw attention to the lawmaker’s behavior.
In a statement, Jabateh emphasized that he is not a killer and that his comments were meant to instill fear in Rep. Kolubah while alerting the Legislature to what he describes as Kolubah’s persistent insults and threats towards President Joseph Boakai and his wife.
“Rep. Kolubah threatened to kill President Boakai, claiming that both he and the President would end up in a funeral home,” said Jabateh.
He criticized the police for not questioning Kolubah over these threats and expressed frustration that no action had been taken against the lawmaker.
Jabateh’s social media post on Wednesday, where he threatened to kill the Montserrado District 10 lawmaker, drew significant attention.
“I made that statement to call the attention of House Speaker Cllr. Fonati Koffa and to emphasize the need to stop Rep. Kolubah from threatening the peace and safety of the President,” he explained.
The Assistant Minister has since apologized to Rep. Kolubah for his threatening remarks. “I’m going to defend the President,” Jabateh reiterated, adding that his intention was never to harm but to protect the integrity and peace of Liberia.
On Thursday, July 25, 2024, the Liberia National Police summoned Jabateh for questioning regarding his threats against Kolubah.
The incident has sparked widespread debate about the conduct of public officials and the boundaries of political discourse in the country.
Jabateh pointed out that Rep. Kolubah has repeatedly insulted and threatened the President without repercussion. “If Yekeh feels that he’s mad, we have more mad people in this country than Yekeh Kolubah.
We’re just doing this to protect mama Liberia,” he emphasized, calling for a more respectful and secure political environment.
This comes as the result of a recent recording, when Assistant Minister for Urban Affairs at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mike Jabateh, threatened that the Liberian Government would kill Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah if he does not desist from insulting President Joseph Boakai.
Representative Kolubah, who played a significant role in President Boakai’s victory over former President Weah in 2023, is now at the center of threats coming from government officials.
The Montserrado District 10 Lawmaker turned into a staunch critic of President Boakai days after the President was announced the winner by the National Election Commission (NEC) in November 2023.
He continues to point out that President Boakai betrays the trust and confidence of Liberians.
His persistent criticisms of President Boakai’s regime have put him at odds with supporters, resulting in public threats from top government officials and attempts by individuals believed to support the government to tarnish his reputation on social media.
The Legislature now faces mounting pressure to address the ongoing tensions and ensure that the behavior of its members upholds the dignity and peace of the nation.
The exchange between Jabateh and Kolubah has highlighted the volatile nature of Liberia’s political environment.
Political analysts are calling for a more measured approach to discourse, emphasizing the importance of maintaining respect and decorum among public officials.
The situation underscores the need for effective conflict resolution mechanisms within the political sphere to prevent escalation and ensure that disagreements do not threaten national stability.
In the wake of these developments, there is a growing call from civil society organizations and international partners for the Liberian government to demonstrate a commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation.
This incident serves as a critical test of Liberia’s democratic institutions and their ability to manage internal conflicts while safeguarding the nation’s peace and progress.
