Kortie Slams Paye Over VP Koung Allegations

By Stephen G. Fellajuah

MONROVIA, June 25, 2026 — Former lawmaker David Kortie has dismissed allegations made by former Mines and Energy Minister Wilmot Paye against Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, describing the claims as baseless and intended to damage the Vice President’s reputation and political future.

Speaking on Spoon Network’s Spoon Talk program, Paye alleged that Vice President Koung wanted him removed from the Ministry of Mines and Energy because he believed the former minister did not support his reported presidential ambitions for 2029.

Paye further claimed that Koung accused him of backing Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan as a potential successor to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in the 2029 elections or beyond.

The former Unity Party chairman also alleged that Vice President Koung and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah established NIMBO, which he described as a political grouping, arguing that Unity Party members would be mistaken to believe the two remain committed to the party.

“I can vouch for President Boakai any day, but there are people who believe it is their time, so they have to do this,” Paye said during the program.

He also suggested that efforts were being made to use him as a scapegoat to divert public attention from what he described as shortcomings within the government.

Responding to the allegations, Kortie urged Liberians not to allow what he described as unsubstantiated claims to tarnish Vice President Koung’s image or distract the government from its development agenda.

He said the Boakai administration remains focused on delivering tangible results, particularly through ongoing road infrastructure projects across the country.

“Let me remind everyone that under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Liberia is witnessing significant development initiatives, especially in road construction,” Kortie said. “These achievements continue to strengthen public confidence in the government.”

Kortie expressed confidence that the administration’s development agenda would help secure President Boakai’s re-election in 2029.

He also said he believes Vice President Koung would remain well-positioned politically beyond the Boakai administration, with the backing of the President and the Liberian people.

Kortie concluded by urging Liberians to reject divisive politics, misinformation, and personal attacks and instead focus on promoting national unity and development.