Dillon: ‘The Liberian Legislature Does Not Serve at The Pleasure of the President’

MONROVIA – Embattled Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon who is being investigated by his colleagues for accusing them of taking bribe to pass the recast budget insists that the Legislature must not work at the will and pleasure of the President.

Report by Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaoline.com

In a Facebook post on Friday evening, Senator Dillon wrote: “Cabinet ministers serve at the pleasure of the President. Legislators (should) serve at the pleasure of the people”.

In 20 minutes, his post generated over 100 comments with the majority agreeing with the post and expressing their solidarity as his colleagues attempt to expel him from the Senate.

The Montserrado County Senator who has become admired by the public for exposing ills in the Senate was complained to the leadership on Thursday by Senator George Tengbeh (Coalition for Democratic Change – Lofa County) for what he called acts unbecoming of senator of this Republic.

Touch One Touch All

Senator Dillon is beginning to receive the support of some of his colleagues who have vowed to stand with him during his investigation.

The political leader of Liberty Party, Senator Nyonblee Kangar-Lawrence of Grand Bassa County has assured embattled Senator her support as some members of the Senate seek to have him expelled.

In a Facebook post on Friday morning, Senator Lawrence wrote: “Touch one touch all. Abe Darius Dillon, you’re covered”.

“Cabinet ministers serve at the pleasure of the President. Legislators (should) serve at the pleasure of the people”.– Senator Abraham Darius Dillon (Montserrado County, Liberty Party)

The Complaint against Dillon

The ruling party Senator in his complaint letter stated that Senator Dillon and his cohorts have embarked on a “smear campaign” aimed at denigrating the Liberian Senate both wholly and individually.

He added that the Montserrado County Senator has willfully and intentionally distorted the image of the Senate, causing massive injury to the characters of Senators and the institution.

He stated in the complaint: “On Wednesday, May 20, 2020, Senator Dillon accused all Senators who affixed their signatures to the Senate resolution containing the COVID-19 recast budget and certain fiscal measures of receiving bribes. I demand the senator to provide proof of the commission of this highly felonious crime by twenty-three senators who signed the document.”

The Lofa County Senator’s letter of complaint was referenced on an interview where he (Tengbeh) alleged that Senator Dillon had several weeks ago and “deceptively” told the Public that he received an amount of US$ 6,500.00 as operational funds when the amount was US$8,000.

Though Tengbeh had earlier kept the information private until Senator Dillon revealed the information, he said in his communication: “This is gross dishonesty on the part of the Montserrado County Senator and has no place in the Senate. It is honorable to disclose fully and criminal to disclose partially.”

“Touch one touch all. Abe Darius Dillon, you’re covered”.– Senator Nyonblee Kangar-Lawrence (Brand Bassa County, Liberty Party)

In reference to the Senate standing rules, which he claimed calls for order and perfect decorum during session, the Lofa County Senator accused Senator Dillon of being in the constant habit of disrupting Senate session and showing no respect to officers of the Senate who try to bring him to order.

Said Tengbeh: “The constant invectives rained by Senator Dillon on the Liberian Senate are abhorrent and prohibitive. He describes individual Senators as spineless when they vote for what they believe in the Senate as a rotten place. It is my belief that Senator Dillon does not belong in his so-called rotten institution.”