Sinoe County Senator Cllr. Augustine S. Chea has taken aim at Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon over his recent public apology to former President George Weah. Chea branded Dillon’s apology as insincere and politically motivated, accusing him of engaging in what he termed the “guilt of deception.”
Chea’s denunciation was unyielding. Quoting political theorist Hannah Arendt, he remarked, “Truthfulness has never been counted among political virtues, and lies have always been regarded as justifiable tools in political dealings.” The Grand Kru lawmaker argued that Dillon’s apology was less about genuine regret and more about salvaging his political image amid mounting criticism.
Central to Chea’s critique was his claim that Dillon’s recent behavior exposed a pattern of double standards. He highlighted Dillon’s silence over President Joseph Boakai’s use of private aircraft—a stark contrast to Dillon’s vehement condemnation of former President Weah for similar actions. “Such is the sad debacle of my colleague, Senator A. Darius Dillon,” Chea declared. “He does not have the spine or balls to criticize President Boakai over his use of a private aircraft as he did with former President Weah. Instead, the deceptive thing to do is to say that he was wrong for criticizing former President Weah.”
Chea went further to describe Dillon’s apology as “political chicanery,” dismissing it as a calculated ploy devoid of sincerity. “This is a face-saving adventure, not a meaningful acknowledgment of wrongdoing,” he said.
Dillon, a leading figure in the opposition coalition “Rescue Mission” that unseated the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), ignited controversy when he publicly expressed regret for his earlier criticisms of Weah’s reliance on private jets. During a live radio interview, Dillon admitted that his past condemnation of Weah’s use of private aircraft was misguided and based on a lack of understanding of the logistical demands of the presidency.
“In my role as a senator and a former critic of private jet usage, I want to publicly apologize to former President George Weah,” Dillon said. “I now understand that the presidency demands swift and secure mobility to address urgent national and international matters. Our critique during Weah’s presidency was misplaced.”
Dillon’s perspective reportedly changed after witnessing logistical challenges firsthand during a visit to Abuja, Nigeria, where government officials faced delays due to commercial travel constraints. This experience, he claimed, offered him a new appreciation for the necessity of private travel for high-ranking officials.
The apology has provoked polarized reactions. While some praised Dillon for his humility, others accused him of hypocrisy. Critics pointed out that the same economic hardships that fueled outrage over Weah’s private jet usage persist under Boakai’s administration.
“We condemned George Weah for using private jets in one of the world’s poorest countries, and we condemn Joseph Boakai for doing the same,” a detractor remarked. “It is indefensible to prioritize presidential luxuries in a nation where poverty and unemployment affect the overwhelming majority of citizens.”
For Chea, however, Dillon’s apology emphasises a deeper issue of political inconsistency and opportunism. “This is not an honest apology,” Chea concluded. “It’s a deceptive attempt to remain relevant amidst growing public dissatisfaction. The people deserve better than these political games.”
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