Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe has long postured as an unyielding champion in the fight against corruption. He has carried his symbolic broom, vowing to sweep Liberia clean of graft and abuse of public resources. But today, his actions betray his rhetoric.
By openly associating with Representative Musa Hassan Bility, a widely regarded corrupt man, Gongloe is abandoning the very principles he once claimed to uphold. The question now is: Will Cllr. Gongloe speak against Bility, or has his so-called fight against corruption been nothing more than political grandstanding?
Musa Hassan Bility is no stranger to allegations of corruption. From his time as President of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) to his current role as political leader of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) and Representative of Nimba County District #7, Bility has been linked to financial scandals that have raised serious ethical concerns. His name has surfaced repeatedly in corruption allegations that point to his involvement in the misuse of public and private funds. Yet, rather than distance himself from such a figure, Cllr. Gongloe has embraced Bility and even stood alongside him at political gatherings.
This is not merely a question of association; it is a question of integrity. The Liberia People’s Party (LPP), to which Gongloe belongs, has long prided itself on being at the forefront of the battle against corruption and bad governance. The party calls for accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership. But what does it say about Gongloe and the LPP when one of its most prominent members is now seen in the company of a man whose reputation is stained by corruption? Gongloe cannot have it both ways. He cannot claim to be an anti-corruption crusader while simultaneously lending credibility to a politician whose financial dealings remain highly questionable.
Even more alarming is the fact that Gongloe has gone beyond mere political appearances with Bility. He publicly thanks Bility for naming a newly constructed bridge in Bong and Nimba Counties after him. This raises an even bigger question: Where did the money for this project come from? Is Gongloe comfortable with the possibility that the very corruption he claims to fight may have played a role in financing this bridge? His silence on this matter speaks volumes.
Gongloe’s refusal to speak against Bility is a disgrace for someone who built his reputation on exposing corruption. The Liberian people have every right to ask: Where is Cllr. Gongloe’s broom now? Has it been tossed aside for political convenience? If Gongloe was sincere in his fight against corruption, he would be the first to question the source of Bility’s wealth and demand accountability. Instead, he is complicit, whether through silence or direct endorsement, in allowing corruption to thrive.
Gongloe’s political decisions are not just personal; they have national consequences. When a respected figure who once positioned himself as a moral authority begins to compromise on principles, it weakens the broader fight against corruption in Liberia. It clearly conveys that integrity can be sacrificed when it suits political interests. It tells Liberians that those who claim to fight corruption are no different from the very people they criticize.
Liberians deserve better. They deserve leaders who stand firm against corruption regardless of who is involved. They deserve public figures who do not compromise their values for political alliances. If Gongloe remains silent on Bility’s questionable dealings, then his entire anti-corruption advocacy has been a farce. If he refuses to call out wrongdoing involving those he associates with, then he is no different from the corrupt politicians he claims to oppose.
There is still time for Gongloe to redeem himself, but that time is running out. Empty slogans and symbolic gestures will not fool the Liberian people. If Cllr. Gongloe truly believes in accountability and justice, he must publicly distance himself from Bility and take a firm stance against corruption, no matter who is involved. Anything less is a betrayal of the Liberians’ trust in him.
The broom he once wielded now looks like nothing more than a discarded prop. Will Gongloe pick it up again and prove he fights corruption seriously? Or will he continue down this dangerous path of political hypocrisy? Liberia is watching.
