LOFA COUNTY, LIBERIA-The Minister of Internal Affairs has urged Paramount and Town Chiefs and Commissioners in Voinjama and Quadru-Gboni Administrative Districts to avoid politics in the discharge of their duties.

Minister Francis Nyumalin said:” The elections are now over and it is time for local leaders of these areas to remain focused and unite their residents in moving the county forward.”

The Internal Affairs Minister spoke on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, when he inducted the Commissioner of Quar-Gboni District and appointed several others as Acting General Town, Cla,n, and Paramount Chiefs of the District.

Minister Nyumalin also called on the citizens of the two districts to respect the acting leaders, because they are representing the Government of Liberia in their respective communities.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Francis Nyumalin, then assured that the Internal Affairs Ministry remains open to supporting local leaders to ensure that the goal of their appointments is realized.

Meanwhile, Minister Nyumalin said the appointments of Acting Paramount, clan, and General Town Chiefs are legitimate.

His comments come in the wake of public concerns, suggesting the Internal Affairs Minister was replacing and illegally appointing local chiefs.

The Minister quoted Section 2.15 (y) of the Local Government Act of 2018, which gives power to the Internal Affairs Minister to appoint Acting Chiefs, pending an election.

Internal Affairs Minister Francis Nyumalin then emphasized that the chiefs were appointed to act until an election was held under the Liberian Constitution.

By: Frederick Teegwiah, Jr.