MONROVIA-Nimba County District #5 Representative Kortor Kwagrue has criticised ministers in Liberia’s ruling Unity Party accusing some of them of being disconnected from citizens and warning that the government risks repeating the political mistakes that contributed to the defeat of the former Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) administration.
Representative Kwagrue, a lawmaker from Nimba County and member of the Movement for Reconstruction and Development (MDR) and the Unity Party-backed political establishment said the government must put its house in order if it hopes to retain support ahead of the 2029 elections.
“Put your house in order. I said it before " Mr Kwagrue said.
He argued that the CDC was now recognising some of the mistakes that contributed to its removal from power and are attempting to correct them while accusing the administration of making similar errors.
“CDC is realising its mistake. Trying to correct the mistake. And the mistake that got them out you are doing the same mistake " he said.
A major concern he said, was the perceived lack of connection between some Unity Party ministers and the communities they serve.
“Citizens in the Unity Party they are damn mean " Mr Kwagrue said, comparing the situation with ministers who served under former President George Weah.
He said supporters of Mr Weah remained strongly attached to him partly because they believed they had personally benefited from his administration.
“Some citizens in Liberia they will die for George Weah even if you cut their necks they will not go because they benefited from George Weah personally " he said.
Rep. Kwagrue said government ministers should be more visible and accessible to people.
“People living around you they can't even know that you are a minister " he said. "But when George Weahs ministers people lived around them they knew that ministers lived there.”
He urged Unity Party officials to reconnect with politicians and political organisers who helped mobilise support during the 2023 elections.
“You need to call the same grassroots politicians that I remember in 2023 you were begging them to come together " he said. "Go to them now before it gets too late.”
He also called for political allies and grassroots structures to be brought back to the table warning that economic hardship could quickly translate into political discontent.
“Hungry man is a man " he said. "No political reward in heaven.”
The Nimba County lawmaker Representative Kwagrue warned government officials against assuming that political power would automatically translate into another victory.
“You sit there with your self you want to win election 2029. Who told you it works like that?" he asked.
He questioned whether ordinary Liberians were seeing benefits from the government particularly those who supported the administration during the election.
“The people stood in the sun and voted for you " he said. "You are so mean. We see the development. You are so mean.”
Mr Kwagrue said government officials should not expect citizens to continue working and campaigning for them if they feel neglected.
“Then you want the people to come in the mud for you?" he asked. "We need to stop these things.”
His comments come as political parties and politicians look toward the 2029 elections with questions about grassroots mobilisation, economic conditions and the government’s relationship, with voters to shape the political debate.