Sinoe County Senator Cllr. Augustine Chea has labeled his colleague, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, as “spineless,” accusing him of hypocrisy and political deception.
The controversy stems from Dillon’s recent apology to former President George Weah for criticizing his frequent use of private jets during his presidency, a critique Dillon now claims was made without fully understanding the necessity of such arrangements for heads of state.
Speaking on OK FM on Monday, January 13, 2025, Dillon, a vocal supporter of the current Unity Party-led government, extended what he described as a heartfelt apology to Weah, acknowledging that his criticisms were misplaced.
However, this move was met with sharp criticism from Senator Chea, who penned a scathing write-up titled “Confronting the GUILT of Deception: The Case of the Apology of Senator Dillon.”
Chea minced no words, accusing Dillon of lacking the courage to hold President Joseph Boakai accountable for similar actions. “He does not have the spine or balls to criticize President Boakai for using a private aircraft as he did with former President Weah. So, the deceptive thing to do is to say that he was wrong for criticizing former President Weah,” Chea wrote.
Quoting political theorist Hannah Arendt, Chea added, “Truthfulness has never been counted among political virtues, and lies have always been regarded as justifiable tools in political dealings.” He accused Dillon of engaging in political chicanery to save face amid growing public disapproval of his leadership, calling the apology insincere and manipulative.
Dillon, once celebrated as the “Light of the Senate” for his anti-corruption advocacy and opposition to the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) under Weah, has seen his reputation tarnished by repeated allegations of hypocrisy. Critics have pointed to his 2021 admission of lying about flying business class, his acceptance of a $15,000 legislative allowance, and his purchase of a luxurious vehicle, all of which contradicted his campaign promises.
Recently, Cllr. Moriah Yeakulah-Korkpor of the opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC) called for Dillon’s removal from the Senate, citing his failure to deliver on promises of transparency and accountability. “Dillon’s tenure has been marked by a series of unkept promises and actions that contradict his initially stated principles,” Yeakulah-Korkpor asserted.
She criticized Dillon for reneging on his pledge to allocate $10,000 of his $15,000 monthly salary to community projects. She noted that he instead claimed to have redirected the funds to a shelter for drug-affected youth—a move not part of his original commitment. Yeakulah-Korkpor also lambasted Dillon for accepting a $45,000 car allowance, which he had previously condemned as wasteful.
“Dillon’s decision to fence his compound and hire guards runs contrary to his promise of accessibility and transparency,” she continued. “This is not about his security; it is about intentionally lying to the people when he had no intentions of keeping said promise.”
She further criticized Dillon for his perceived alignment with the Boakai administration, accusing him of acting as a “de facto Minister of Information” and neglecting his legislative oversight responsibilities. “He now defends the government, carries out functions of the executive, and has forgotten his mandate as Senator,” she stated.
Yeakulah-Korkpor called on Montserrado residents to initiate a petition for Dillon’s removal, citing constitutional provisions that allow citizens to hold their elected officials accountable. “Why keep saying, ‘We are waiting for 2029’? What is stopping us from getting 10,000 signatures on a petition to take to the Senate?” she asked.
The criticism against Dillon has reached a fever pitch, with many of his constituents expressing disappointment in his perceived shift from being an outspoken advocate to a government apologist. “The Dillon of 2019 and 2020 is the same today,” the senator claimed in his defense, suggesting that his approach had evolved to focus on constructive governance rather than opposition.
However, this shift has not resonated with some of his supporters, who argue that Dillon has lost the moral authority he once wielded. Critics say his silence on key issues affecting Montserrado County, such as floods, fires, and inadequate funding for schools and hospitals, is evidence of his waning commitment to his constituents.
