Joseph N. Boakai, the former Unity Party presidential candidate who once vowed to eliminate public waste and curb excessive spending, is facing mounting criticism for his extravagant expenditures since taking office as President of Liberia. Boakai had famously promised to adopt a more modest approach, even suggesting he would ride a wheelbarrow to work to demonstrate his commitment to frugality.
However, reports have emerged that President Boakai has spent over $500,000 on a customized 2025 Lexus LX 700HR Super Ultra Luxury SUV, sparking outrage among citizens and activists alike. Martin Kollie, a prominent Liberian youth activist who had actively campaigned for Boakai, issued a strong condemnation in a press statement yesterday, highlighting the stark contrast between the President’s luxurious lifestyle and the dire economic conditions faced by millions of Liberians.
“President Boakai is flaunting luxury while tens of thousands of public school teachers, health workers, security personnel, and civil servants remain largely underpaid and unpaid,” Kollie stated. He criticized the President for failing to address the needs of the most vulnerable members of society, asserting that Boakai’s actions represent a betrayal of his earlier commitments to run a modest government.
Kollie pointed out that last fiscal year alone, a staggering $1.1 million was spent off-budget to purchase vehicles for President Boakai and Vice President Koung’s convoys. This lavish spending stands in stark contrast to the growing public discontent and student protests that have emerged across the country. Many are drawing parallels between Boakai’s current actions and those of his predecessor, former President George Weah, whom Boakai openly criticized for flaunting his luxury vehicles.
“This is not modesty. This is public waste,” Kollie declared. “When Boakai criticized Weah for his opulence, he emphasized that he could ride a wheelbarrow. Is this the ‘wheelbarrow’ he was referring to? If it was wrong yesterday, it is still wrong today in a country grappling with an unemployment rate exceeding 90 percent.”
Activists are calling for transparency and accountability, urging President Boakai to reflect on his promises made during his campaign. They have announced plans to invoke the 2010 Freedom of Information (FOI) Law to compel the Executive Protection Service to disclose the financial details of the vehicle purchases, hoping to shed light on the government’s spending practices.
As Liberia continues to face significant challenges, including inadequate healthcare and education systems, activists and citizens alike are demanding that President Boakai prioritize the needs of the people over personal extravagance. “This is a promise betrayed. No president can rescue a poor and aid-dependent country with such extravagance,” Kollie concluded, emphasizing the urgent need for change in leadership priorities.
