16 May 2011
Amidst rumors by lame duck politicians, the man considered as the leading candidate for the District #1 seat in Grand Kru County, Jonathan Fonati Koffa famously referred to as ‘JFK’ hits the road this weekend for his residence in Tebu, Buah Statutory District.
JFK who returned from the United States two weeks ago from R & R was a victim of a weak ploy to tarnish his reputation. It can be recalled in the month of February that President Sirleaf nominated Fonati Koffa as Board Member of the PPCC, but his name was later withdrawn. At the time, Presidential Press Secretary informed the press that JFK was a fugitive running from embezzlement charges in the US.
Many legal and political pundits at the time questioned the veracity of Cyrus Badio’s statement on the rationale that a fugitive wanted in the US will obviously be arrested at a port of entry. “If Fonati Koffa was on the run, he would have been arrested in the United States.
When contacted, United States probation officer, Toni Duncan told reporters that Cllr. Koffa had no outstanding issues or charges in the US and that all criminal allegations had been converted to civil matter. She admitted that since 2008, Cllr. Koffa had been cleared from all legal contentions. Attorney Duncan: “Koffa has exhibited exemplary character and that in life we all make mistakes.”
An attorney for Chicago Title Company who represented the insurance company and Koffa in the matter is quoted as saying that “the issue was never one of criminality for us but one of mere negligence because
the lawyer did not keep adequate accounting records for the period and may have comingled some client funds with business funds.”
Since his pronouncement to contest the District seat in Grand Kru County, The Liberty Party stalwart has come under the spotlight by many including those opposed to his bid. Not deterred by mudslinging from political hazelnuts, Fonati as he is called by his clansmen in the south east continues to enjoy the popularity of citizens of the District and the entire County.
A recent electoral pooled conducted by an independent group revealed that District #1 in Grand Kru County is 76% covered by Cllr. Koffa. When quizzed as to what sort of campaign mechanism he had put in place to ensure victory for the Cllr. his campaign manager, Benedict Manadeh Tarpeh states: “Our strategy is based on the people first principle, and now our greatest challenge now is to increase the 76% by turning this high favorability into tangible votes”
As news of his arrival in Tebu, Buah Statutory District gathers steam; citizens are expected to line the various routes to welcome their son once again after being away for a month. With elections just five month away, the coast is becoming clearer and clearer by the day to sail in Jonathan Fonati Koffa as the next representative of his people.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Taken from:
Grand Kru Political Tie Swells