IPNEWS: Former Bomi County Senator Sando Johnson has publicly expressed deep regret for supporting the ruling Unity Party (UP) in Liberia.
In statements issued in Monrovia, Johnson openly apologized to the Liberian people, stating that the political alliance “lied to the Liberian people to remove former President George Weah from power.”
Johnson claimed that he was misled by party propagandists and admitted that the opposition coalition manufactured falsehoods to shift public favor away from George Weah’s administration during the 2023 elections.
He blasted the ruling government for neglecting the grassroots team and political allies who endured harsh conditions to secure President Joseph Boakai’s victory. He emphasized that “political loyalty must be reciprocated” and criticized the party’s failure to protect the economic and survival interests of its supporters.
Labeling the broader party establishment as “terribly ungrateful,” Johnson noted that while President Boakai himself had previously shown personal appreciation, the dominant culture within the party froze out strategic allies in favor of select insiders.
The former Bomi County Senator declared he will not support the Unity Party and is actively considering aligning with alternative political groups, such as the CMC, provided his conditions are met.
Johnson’s public defection matches a broader trend of fracturing alliances within the ruling coalition, coinciding with highly similar public regrets and apologies issued by other prominent former backers, such as former Supreme Court Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh
Early this year, Kabineh Muhammad Ja’neh is a prominent Liberian lawyer and politician who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia from 2006 to 2019.
Born in Bahn, Zoe-Geh District, Nimba County. He initially studied at an Islamic teaching school under his father before graduating from the A.M.E. Zion Academy in Monrovia in 1979.
Before his judicial appointment, he served as Liberia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General during the National Transition Government of Liberia (NTGL) from 2003 to 2006.
He was appointed to the Supreme Court Bench in 2006 during the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
In March 2019, Ja’neh was impeached and removed from office by the Liberian Senate following a trial. The impeachment was driven by members of the House of Representatives on charges including misconduct, usurpation of power, and judicial indiscretion. Critics viewed the impeachment as a politically motivated attack on the independence of the judiciary, noting Ja’neh had previously dissented against the majority in election-related disputes.
Following his removal, Ja’neh challenged the Liberian government at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (ECCJ). In 2020, the ECOWAS Court ruled in his favor, declaring his impeachment illegal and violating his right to a fair hearing. The court ordered Liberia to reinstate him or pay him financial reparations.
During the 2023 presidential elections, Ja’neh actively supported Joseph Boakai and the Unity Party (UP). However, he publicly expressed deep regret over his support, criticizing the administration for alleged lawlessness and disrespect toward the Supreme Court.
Since his removal from the bench, Ja’neh has returned to active legal practice. He serves on high-profile defense teams, notably representing former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor in her ongoing 2026 legal proceedings.
