GREENVILLE, Sinoe – The opposition Alternative National Congress’ candidate for the upcoming senatorial elections in Sinoe, Grace Scotland Briamah, has accused the Greenville mayor of attacking her with a knife.
Briamah held a press conference on Monday where she said Mayor Otis Seeton came to her office to threaten and insult her.
“This morning, the mayor, who I usually refer to as my brother, was passing back and I said, ‘please speak to your sister, I’m still living.’ That was all – he disembarked his motorcycle and attacked me with [a] kitchen knife, telling me that I am not a senatorial material,” she said.
Briamah added that Seeton asked her to step aside from the senatorial race “as the seat only belongs to his [Coalition for Democratic Change] candidate.”
She further explained that it is not the first attack made against her by the mayor: “He has always been doing this, but this one’s gone too far – he almost slapped me in the face. He has always been carrying on this bad attitude towards me. This is the fourth time now and I will not take it likely anymore.”
The executive director of Women Empowerment for Self-Employment accused Sinoe’s Sen. Augustine Chea and the ruling party of orchestrating the attacks. She further called on Liberian women, the Coalition for Democratic Change, and others to condemn the action of the mayor. As the lone female contestant in the upcoming senatorial election in Sinoe, she emphasized the need to ensure her safety.
Meanwhile, Seeton has denied the allegations and said Briamah is speaking out of frustration. He claimed that she is a relative of his who has engaged him on several occasions to seek his support, but he has been bold enough to tell her she is not senatorial material and that his commitment remains with the Coalition for Democratic Change.
Since his refusal to lend his support to Briamah, Seeton says the ANC candidate has been provoking him.
“She will always stop me to provoke me,” he said. “I have been clear to her that she does not even resemble a senatorial candidate. I have been so lenient on her because she is my relative.”
The Greenville mayor promised to take court actions against Briamah if she continues to make what he says are unproven allegations against him.
Meanwhile, Briamah has not reported the alleged attacks to the police. Additionally, there are no signs she has suffered bodily injuries.
Featured photo courtesy of Grace Scotland Briamah, Otis Seeton
