The wife of former Mines and Energy Minister Wilmot J.M. Paye has stirred public debate and speculation about the circumstances surrounding his sudden removal from government.
Just a day after President Joseph Nyuma Boakai announced major reshuffles across key government institutions, including Paye’s dismissal, Mrs. Paye took to social media to congratulate her husband, not for retaining his post, but for what she described as his moral uprightness in the face of temptation.
In a message that many interpret as a thinly veiled response to his ousting, she wrote:
“Thank you for making me a very proud wife! Your children are equally very proud of you. Of course, your God is happy to have a child like you. Choosing integrity over wealth is the best choice any true Christian can make. You are a great statesman so posterity will judge you kindly. Thank you for job well done Honey!”
The post, which has since gone viral, has fueled intense speculation that Paye’s removal may have stemmed from internal disagreements or his stance on corruption and accountability within the Ministry of Mines and Energy, one of Liberia’s most lucrative and politically sensitive sectors.
President Boakai’s Announcement
In a press release issued on October 27, 2025, the Executive Mansion confirmed Paye’s replacement with Mr. R. Matenokay Tingban as Minister of Mines and Energy.
The statement cited the President’s “continued efforts to strengthen governance, improve institutional performance, and ensure accountability and efficiency within the public sector in line with the ARREST Agenda.”
No reasons were given for Paye’s removal, but the tone of Mrs. Paye’s message, particularly her emphasis on “integrity over wealth”, has been widely interpreted as a reflection of what might have gone wrong behind closed doors.
Wilmot Paye, a former Unity Party Chairman and close political ally of President Boakai, was appointed earlier this year amid widespread expectations that his leadership would bring greater transparency to the mining sector.
Sources within the ministry say Paye had taken firm positions against questionable mining concessions and had begun internal audits aimed at ensuring compliance with legal and environmental standards.
“He was not willing to bend the rules,” said one ministry insider who requested anonymity. “That kind of approach doesn’t always sit well with people who have powerful interests.”
While the Executive Mansion has remained silent on the reasons for Paye’s dismissal, political commentators believe the move may reflect deeper tensions within the administration.
Her message has since drawn admiration from members of the public who view Paye as a victim of his own honesty, while others see it as a calculated attempt to shape public perception of his removal.
However, many Liberians believe that Paye’s exit is part of the President reshuffle.
