MONROVIA-It was to the disbelief of many journalists on Wednesday, Mary 24, 2024 when Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor refused to answer questions from journalists about her alleged support to National Patriotic Party (NPP) youths that attacked Senator Prince Johnson’s Church last week Sunday.

Vice President Taylor earlier addressed journalists to condemn any act of violence during the electoral process.

“I condemn in the strongest terms any issues of violence in the elections. We all signed the code of conduct. I stand by the president, I stand by the international community, and I stand by the country that peace is what we want,” she said.

“I believe this election is about ideas, about building a better Liberia and what we do to lift the lives of our people, violence can never be a part of our agenda for this election. Thank you I have to go.”

But she failed to address the action at the church of Senator Johnson.  When she realized that barrage of questions was about to reach her, said: “thank you I have to go.”

Without wasting any time, she moved fast to her vehicle which engine was already on, and left the scene.

It was the first time for Vice President Taylor to speak since she was accused by Senator Johnson.

 On Sunday, May 21, 2023, NPP youths attacked the Church Edifice of Senator Prince Y. Johnson that led to the disruption of normal Worship Service.

During the Christ Chapel of Faith’s normal worship service, Members of the National Patriotic Party, (NPP) Youth Wing’, dressed in their NPP and the Coalition for Democratic Change, (CDC) regalia, held banners and placards, and chanted anti-PYJ slogans, stormed the Church’s compound and disrupted normal service. As a result of that, Senator Johnson left the service and went home.

They chanted war crimes court slogans and left Senator Johnson and his wife stranded for some time in the Church’s compound before leaving.

She along with Maritime Commissioner Lenn Eugene and Monrovia City Mayor, Jefferson Koijee were accused by Senator Johnson of masterminding the attack

According to her, she remains committed to the Farmington Declaration and condemned any act of violence leading to Liberia’s crucial presidential and Legislative Elections.

She declined to comment if she knew any of the NPP youth leaders that stormed Senator Johnson’s Church. She skipped the question as she walked to her waiting motorcade and departed the Capitol.

New Republic Liberia

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.