In a tearful farewell gathering on Friday, January 19, 2024, hundreds of employees of the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) bid adieu to the outgoing Monrovia City Mayor, Jefferson Tamba Koijee. However, amidst the emotional farewell, Koijee took the opportunity to issue a strong early warning to the incoming Unity Party government, headed by President-elect Ambassador Joseph Boakai and Vice President-elect Jeremiah Kpan Koung.
Addressing the crowd gathered outside the Monrovia City Hall, Koijee did not mince his words as he firmly stated that the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is ready to resist any form of intimidation from the Unity Party administration. He emphasized that if the incoming regime attempts to use intimidation as a tool, they would be “sadly mistaken.”
“If you come here and think it is the order of the day, you are sadly mistaken, my good friend,” Koijee emphasized, signaling the CDC’s preparedness to stand firm against any perceived harassment or intimidation.
Koijee went on to express the CDC’s commitment to the well-being of the country and its citizens. He highlighted the party’s love for Liberia and its people, referencing President George Manneh Weah’s concession speech following the November 14, 2023, presidential run-off election. Koijee stressed that the CDC would support any policy initiated by the Unity Party Administration that is in the interest of the citizens. However, he warned that the party would not succumb to any actions that fall short of the well-being of the nation.
“Anything that means well for this country, we will support it. But what we will not support is very clear; if you come here and think that you have an opportunity and that opportunity is a death sentence, we want to say you are sadly mistaken,” he asserted.
While expressing gratitude to President George Weah for the opportunity to serve the country as Monrovia City Mayor, Koijee revealed that, except for his Holy Bible representing his Christian faith, he would leave the office well-furnished without taking anything with him. He emphasized that the turnover note had been presented to the President, and the only item he would take with him is his Holy Bible.
“Officially today [Friday, January 19, 2024], we presented our turnover not to the President [Weah] and we will be waiting for the Mayor that will come here to present to him our turnover note, and as we leave from, we’ll take the media to our office and tell them, we met an office that was empty; we refilled it and we’ll leave it there. The only thing we will take is our Holy Bible,” Koijee declared.
Jefferson Tamba Koijee, initially the National Youth League Chair of the CDC, was appointed to the position of Monrovia City Mayor in 2018 and later confirmed by the Liberian Senate before officially assuming national duties. As he bids farewell to his role, Koijee leaves a strong warning to the incoming government while emphasizing the CDC’s dedication to the country’s well-being and democratic principles.