Doloquee
As the country gear toward the general & presidential elections in 2023, Liberians are uncertain about whom to elect as their next leader to head the country for another six-year.
Liberia, a country noted for fighting 14 years of civil conflicts, continued to be dirt poor despite having enjoyed post-conflict peace for over 17 years. Like Liberia, Other African countries have similarly experienced war, but they are all forging ahead to develop and improve their people’s livelihood.
After about 200 years of existence, Liberia remains among the world’s poorest nations. With the wealth of natural resources and rich soil, Leaders in the past and the present administration have not done enough to improve their people’s living conditions.
Liberians are a year away from the 2023 general and presidential elections, but it is getting increasingly unlikely as to who the people will vote as their next leader. Unlike past elections where the race to the presidency was seen between two people – making it easy for the people to decide whom to vote for – the 2023 presidential race would not be a “two-horse” race until the second round.
While many politicians want to contest the presidency, the current political space has seen a lot of rigmarole in recent times – therefore confusing the voters further. Here are reasons why Liberians might find it challenging to elect their leader in 2023.
The Ruling Party Decimal Performance
The Coalition for Democratic Change is currently the ruling party in Liberia. The party brought to power Africa’s only Ballon D’or winner – George Manneh Weah. President George Weah won the former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai overwhelmingly in the second round of the 2017 general & presidential elections, accumulating over 60% of the total votes.
Presidency Weah’s inauguration brought together people from all parts of the country. Most Liberians felt happy because one of their native sons (as they would call it) was inducted into office. He couldn’t have said it any better when he said, “Liberians will not be spectators in their own economy.” It was such a joyful moment all over the country.
Where Did Things Start to go Wrong?
Three months into his presidency, President Weah was heavily criticized for demolishing and rebuilding his Sinkor residence and building over 37 modern housing units somewhere else in the country.
After more than four years in his presidency, The Weah’s administration has gone on to receive other lashes for the misappropriation of 25 million USD meant to pop up excess Liberian Dollars banknotes on the market; a bad economic situation in the country; lack of jobs for citizens; a gross violation of the constitution; news of mysterious death all over; unstable/no electricity; lack of courage to fight corruption and the list goes on.
While there is a lot to say about the wrong things in president Weah’s leadership, some good things are being done like roads construction, the building of infrastructure (market hall, low-income housing units, etc.), and payment of students’ WASSCE fees, etc.
Weighing on both sides of the Weah administration, one may say it’s still debatable as to how things might go in the next elections. However, a president once described by his followers as staying in power for 24 years could face fierce competition from other political rivals.
Failed and Unserious CPP
The collaborating Political Parties came into existence in 2019 and were formally adopted into law in April 2020. The collaboration, which consisted of four independent political parties – Unity Party, Alternative National Congress, Liberty Party, and All Liberian Party – came together with the famous mantra of making Weah a “one-term president.”
They managed to win six seats compared to CDC’s two seats during the special Senatorial Midterm Election – thus representing themselves as the new “messiah” to the Liberian people. In no time, they started fusing on whom to lead the collaboration. A framework alteration allegation was also raised, and the matter is currently in court.
At the time of this writing, two political parties (the All Liberian Party and the Unity Party) have left the collaboration. The party that once became the hope of the Liberian people is currently dashed in the drainage, fighting for survival. Those who trusted the CPP are being betrayed like the way Delilah did to Sampson.
Joe Boakai Consider Old and Unhealthy
Now that the CPP is no longer the hope of the electorates, everyone has gone their separate way. Joseph Boakai, a 2017 election second-round contender, is again at the full front to contest for the presidency on the Unity Party ticket.
Over forty years of service to the country, Amb Boakai is said not to have been guilty of any corruption charge despite admitting to them squandering resources during their twelve years in power. His reason for not being guilty of a corruption charge could be why people might support him.
While Amb. Boakai possesses a good reputation in the political environment; his critics have used his old age and health condition as a means to cautious voters against his presidential bid. He has also been clouded by the vast corruption and mismanagement of funds of the previous government, in which he served as Vice President for twelve years.
Boakai and his likes might face one obstacle: their ability to allow the CPP to fall – especially under his chairmanship. Whatever way it goes, it is honest to say that Joseph N. Boakai will be a formidable force in the elections ahead.
Alexander B. Cummings entangled with Court Case.
Alexander B. Cummings’ Alternative National Congress was one of the parties in the failed collaboration. Mr. Cummings is a former Coca-Cola executive and successful business entrepreneur.
As he is usually called, ABC first participated in Liberian politics in 2017. Since then, the ANC boss has firmly established himself as one of the front runners for the Liberian presidency. During his watch as chairman, the CPP won six senatorial seats in the 2020 midterm elections – the highest seat won throughout their (CPP) existence.
In January of this year, Mr. Benoni Urey – an executive member of the CPP – sued Mr. Cummings for alleged forgery and alteration of the CPP framework document. This case has caused a massive reduction in Mr. Cummings movement around the country.
In a particular Facebook post, Mr. Cummings complained that the state prosecutor refused to allow the trial to be handled in his absence, which has slowed his movement to other parts of the country.
When Alexander B. Cummings is found guilty of the charges levied against him, this might be the end of his quest for political power in the country. Mr. Cummings has also been heavily criticized for not allowing himself to go as vice running mate to the former Vice President, Joseph Boakai.
Some of his critics have even labeled him as someone who is “greedy for power.” Like Joseph Boakai, Mr. Cummings will also be faced with the stigma of allowing the CPP to fall right under their own hands.
Although Cummings has come under lots of criticism from other opposition members, it is worth noting that the ANC Standard Bearer could be among the top three candidates contesting the Liberian presidency in 2023. The fact that he is a successful businessman and claims to have the answer to Liberia’s dire economic situation is a plus for him.
Dr. Daniel E. Cassell is being jailed in the United States of America.
Dr. Cassell is the political leader of the “People’s Liberation Party.” Daniel E. Cassell started his ground worked when he declared his intention to contest the Liberian presidency in 2023. Little did Liberians know that he was a wanted man in the United States of America.
On March 23, 2021, FrontPage Africa broke the news that the PLP leader was arrested and jailed pending his trial. Dr. Cassell, who came as a real liberator to the Liberian people, was seen in his prison outfit all over social media.
Despite all the quick impact projects he was carrying out, his investigation in the US was a massive blow against him and his supporters.
Final Thoughts
With the pros and cons of these politicians, it is becoming harder every day for Liberians to decide their fate. Will Liberians decide to go for the “devil” they know over the “unknown angels”? Will they choose to “Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia”? What about the “Real Change” trying to make its way since 2017?
Whatever side the dice falls on, it is all left to the Liberian people to decide.
2 comments
TEAWON GONGLOE IS THE BEST CHOICE AND WILL ERADICATE CULTURE OF IMPUNITY
AND BRING ACCOUNTABLILITY
Let’s see how that goes…