By Lofa County, Liberia – Tragedy struck in Konia, Lofa, over the weekend, as two lives were lost in the aftermath of a heated political dispute. Witnesses at the scene reported that John G. Kolubah, identified as a supporter of the Unity Party (UP), and his alleged assailant, Oldman Dorboryan, were once close friends who engaged in numerous activities together.
Sources near the incident conveyed that Oldman allegedly turned on his friend, John, leading to a fatal assault. The motive behind this alleged attack appeared to revolve around a heated argument regarding the outcome of the 2023 presidential elections.
A neighbor of the deceased, speaking on condition of anonymity, shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. According to the anonymous source, Oldman, who was later also killed by an angry mob, assaulted John because the latter had expressed his belief that Joseph Boakai, the Unity Party’s standard-bearer, would emerge as the victor in the ongoing presidential race.
It was reported that Oldman, known in the community as a staunch supporter of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), had a particular way of expressing his political allegiance. As the source described, Oldman would offer palm wine to others, but only if they aligned with his CDC affiliation. Those who expressed different political sentiments were denied a share of the palm wine.
The situation took a grim turn, culminating in Oldman’s death at the hands of an angry crowd. The incident has raised concerns about the motivations behind this fatal altercation, with the head of the Criminal Division Service listing several individuals as persons of interest linked to the mob’s actions against the alleged perpetrator. Investigations into this tragic episode continue to unfold as the community grapples with the aftermath of the violence.
By: Alphanso G. Kalama
