Dillon Accused of “Divisive Scheme” Against UP Amid Work Permit Regime Audit Proposal
A coalition of civil society organizations under the banner Consortium of Pro-democracy Organizations of Liberia (COPOL) has accused Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of pursuing what it describes as a “divisive scheme” aimed at undermining the Unity Party Alliance Government led by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung. In a joint press statement issued in Monrovia, the group alleged that Senator Dillon’s recent call for an audit of the Ministry of Labour’s work permit regime is part of a broader political maneuver intended to sow discord within the ruling alliance.
The Consortium comprising the Patriotic Consciousness Association of Liberia (PACA), Survival Human Foundation of Liberia (SUHFOL), Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL), and Mothers of Tomorrow (MOT) said Dillon’s public claims of corruption and “job sales” at the Ministry are “baseless, unfounded, and politically motivated.” According to COPOL, Senator Dillon has failed to honor several campaign promises made more than seven years ago, including pledges to forgo expensive official vehicles, reject business-class flights, and donate half of his salary to development projects in Montserrado County.
The group alleged that the Senator, rather than addressing pressing issues such as youth drug addiction, domestic violence, rape, and unemployment in his county, has turned to what they describe as “unsubstantiated attacks” against Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah a senior Nimba County political figure and key ally of Vice President Koung. “The Senator’s accusations against Minister Kruah are not only misleading but also an attempt to politically weaken Nimba County’s influence within the Unity Party-Alliance,” COPOL said. “This is a dangerous strategy to frustrate President Boakai’s re-election chances in 2029 by alienating the Nimba voting bloc.”
The Consortium questioned Senator Dillon’s authority to independently issue such allegations as a member of the Senate Committee on Labour, stressing that official committee statements must be released through the committee chair, Grand Gedeh County Senator and former Foreign Minister Thomas Yaya Nimely. COPOL further noted that Senator Dillon has not made any official oversight visit to the Ministry of Labour since the formation of the Boakai-Koung government more than two years ago, but continues to make claims “based on remote and unverified sources.” The group also defended Minister Kruah’s record, citing reforms in the Labour sector, including the upward adjustment of work permit fees to create more job opportunities for Liberians.
COPOL has given Senator Dillon a two-week ultimatum to present evidence supporting his allegations of “work permit job sales” or face unspecified civil actions, including potential peaceful protests at the Capitol Building. The accusations follow Senator Dillon’s recent communication to the Liberian Senate requesting the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a comprehensive audit of the issuance, renewal, and management of work permits granted to foreign nationals in Liberia. In his letter, the Montserrado Senator said the audit aims to ensure “integrity, transparency, and compliance within the labor and immigration systems,” while addressing loopholes that may deprive Liberians of employment opportunities.
“The goal is to strengthen public confidence and identify vulnerabilities that may enable corruption, fraud, or abuse,” Dillon said. “This is not about targeting individuals or institutions but about improving systems for the benefit of Liberian workers.” The proposed audit, according to Dillon, would cover several key areas, including data reconciliation between the Ministry of Labour, Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP), and Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA). It would also review employer compliance with labor laws, detect unauthorized employment, and assess visa-work permit consistency.
While COPOL views Dillon’s move as politically charged, some political observers and analysts say the Senator’s call for audit falls within his constitutional oversight responsibility to ensure accountability and transparency in public governance. A few independent voices on social media have also argued that the proposal aligns with ongoing anti-corruption efforts and may help uncover long-standing irregularities in the country’s labor and immigration systems.
Author: Zac T. Sherman
