Local growers warn President Boakai of mass vote withdrawal over Agriculture Ministry leadership
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the ruling Unity Party (UP) face a growing political storm ahead of the 2029 presidential election as local farmers across Liberia warn they may withdraw electoral support unless Agriculture Minister Alexander Nuetah is dismissed.
The warning came from dozens of indigenous farmers who gathered on the sidelines of the National Infrastructure Conference held Monday, January 19, 2026, in Gompa City, Nimba County. The farmers accused Minister Nuetah of poor leadership, neglect of local producers, and alleged favoritism toward major foreign-owned agricultural concessions.
According to the farmers, failure to address their concerns could cost the Unity Party a significant voting bloc in rural Liberia, where agriculture remains the primary livelihood.
“If Minister Nuetah continues as Agriculture Minister, the 2029 election will haunt the Unity Party,” one farmer declared.
Allegations of Bias and Weak Leadership
Leading the group, Gabriel Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of the American Global Industrial Group of Companies, accused the Agriculture Minister of working against the interests of local farmers.
“Minister Nuetah is not the right messenger to deliver the fruits of this sector to Liberians,” Roberts said. “Instead of empowering local farmers, he is fighting us.”
Roberts further alleged that Minister Nuetah is primarily protecting the interests of large rubber concessions, including Firestone and Jetty Rubber Plantation, at the expense of indigenous agricultural enterprises.
“The Minister of Agriculture is only there to protect Jetty and Firestone. He is not seeking our interest,” Roberts told reporters.
The farmers claimed that under Nuetah’s leadership, policies such as additional subcharges on rubber have discouraged Liberian participation in the sector and weakened local production.
Claims of Marginalizing Liberian Businesses
Roberts alleged that Minister Nuetah has aligned himself with foreign agricultural companies while sidelining Liberian-owned businesses striving to grow.
“These practices are gradually pushing indigenous agricultural businesses out of the sector, undermining local production and threatening the livelihoods of thousands of Liberian farmers,” he warned.
The farmers insist that agriculture, if properly managed, has the potential to drive economic transformation, reduce unemployment, and strengthen food security but say current leadership is failing to deliver on that promise.
Minister’s Response
When contacted by Verity for response to the allegations, Agriculture Minister Alexander Nuetah offered a brief reaction via WhatsApp.
“Let them do whatever they want,” the minister replied.
Political Implications
With agriculture employing a majority of Liberia’s rural population, analysts say sustained dissatisfaction within the sector could pose a serious political risk for the Boakai administration if left unresolved.
As 2029 approaches, the farmers’ warning adds to mounting pressure on the Unity Party to demonstrate tangible reforms, inclusive policymaking, and renewed engagement with indigenous producers or risk facing voter backlash at the polls.
