Ruling Party Lawmaker Condemns Leader’s Social Media Post as Racist

A senior member of the upper chamber from the ruling party has reportedly condemned the head of state for a controversial social media post, marking a rare public break with the nation’s leader on matters of race.

The lawmaker, who represents a southern region and serves as the only Black member of the ruling party’s upper chamber delegation, allegedly called the post “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this [executive residence],” according to sources familiar with the matter. The controversial content, posted on the leader’s preferred social media platform, reportedly depicted two former high-ranking officials as primates.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions within the country’s political establishment over issues of racial sensitivity and executive conduct. Observers note that such public criticism from within the ruling party remains uncommon, particularly from lawmakers who have historically maintained close ties with the leadership.

The opposition’s top legislator in the upper chamber also reportedly condemned the post, describing it as “racist, vile, and abhorrent” in statements circulated on social media. The lawmaker called on the head of state to remove the content and issue an apology to the former officials targeted.

According to political analysts, the criticizing lawmaker has generally maintained a supportive relationship with the current leadership, having previously sought the nation’s top office before withdrawing from consideration. He now reportedly chairs the ruling party’s legislative campaign organization, tasked with maintaining the party’s narrow majority in the upper chamber.

The controversy comes amid broader questions about the leader’s use of social media platforms and the executive branch’s approach to public communications. The lawmaker had previously been considered for the second-highest executive position before the leader selected another candidate.

In recent weeks, the same legislator has also reportedly differed with the leadership over investigations into the nation’s central banking authority, suggesting growing independence from the executive’s position on economic matters. As chair of the upper chamber’s banking committee, he has questioned whether the central bank’s leadership committed any criminal acts, despite the executive branch’s ongoing investigation.

The executive residence has not responded to requests for comment regarding the controversy, maintaining its typical silence on social media-related incidents involving the head of state.