MONROVIA – As Liberia’s political landscape gradually shifts toward the 2029 presidential elections, leading political figures are beginning to outline their visions for the country’s future while weighing in on some of the most pressing national issues. In a wide-ranging interview on Sky Communications, Alternative National Congress (ANC) Political Leader Alexander B. Cummings discussed his political ambitions, the controversy surrounding the National Elections Commission’s 2% threshold requirement, the performance of the Boakai administration, and key governance challenges confronting the nation. His remarks offer a glimpse into the arguments and policy debates that could shape Liberia’s next electoral contest. THE ANALYST Reports
Alternative National Congress (ANC) Political Leader Alexander B. Cummings has declared himself politically prepared for Liberia’s 2029 presidential election, while launching a broad critique of the controversial 2% electoral threshold, questioning the performance of the Joseph Nyuma Boakai administration, and calling for stronger accountability in government.
Speaking during a wide-ranging interview on Sky Communications, the former presidential candidate touched on issues ranging from opposition unity and economic governance to public health preparedness, corruption, the Liberia-Guinea border dispute, and the recent acquittal of former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah.
Throughout the interview, Cummings projected confidence about his political future and presented himself as a leader prepared to challenge the country’s political status quo.
Eyes Firmly Set on 2029
Addressing speculation about his political future, Cummings made it clear that he remains fully engaged in national politics and is actively preparing for the next electoral cycle.
“I am not retiring from politics. I remain committed to helping Liberia and, when the time comes, I will make the appropriate decision about 2029,” he declared.
The ANC leader argued that Liberia needs transformational leadership grounded in competence, integrity, accountability, and economic expertise rather than what he described as the politics of patronage and empty promises.
“Liberians deserve competent leadership, and I believe I have the experience and the vision to help move our country forward,” he said.
Cummings maintained that his years of international corporate leadership and management experience have equipped him with the skills necessary to confront Liberia’s economic difficulties and unlock opportunities for growth and job creation.
While expressing openness to political collaboration ahead of 2029, he indicated that any alliance must be built around shared principles and a common national agenda.
“We are willing to engage anyone who believes in good governance, accountability, and economic transformation,” he said.
He cautioned that opposition parties often make the mistake of prioritizing political positions over policy objectives.
“The mistake opposition parties often make is focusing on positions instead of a shared agenda for the country,” he noted.
Reflecting on the 2023 elections, Cummings acknowledged that lessons had been learned and said the ANC has spent the post-election period reviewing its performance, reorganizing local structures, and reconnecting with voters across the country.
“We are not waiting for 2029 to get ready,” he said. “We are ready now, and we will continue to build the structures necessary to earn the trust and votes of the Liberian people.”
Cummings Rejects 2% Electoral Threshold Debate
Cummings also took aim at the contentious debate surrounding the National Elections Commission’s interpretation of the 2% electoral threshold requirement for political parties.
He accused Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of politicizing the issue in an attempt to divert public attention from concerns raised by the ANC regarding the controversial Foya Housing Project.
“Just to clear the air, I think Dillon knew this, but he was playing politics,” Cummings asserted.
The ANC political leader argued that the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), of which the ANC was a constituent member during the 2023 elections, satisfied the requirements of the law by winning elected seats despite securing less than two percent of the presidential vote.
“The CPP got less than 2%, but got CPP Representatives. One from Nimba, one from Maryland, one from Grand Kru. Even Dillon is a CPP Senator. Nyonblee is a CPP Senator. The CPP had at least five candidates that won,” he said.
“The ANC was not on the ballot. CPP was on the ballot. The law applies to the institution and not the individual.”
He described the controversy as a deliberate political distraction.
“They were playing politics. This was meant to be political. It was meant to be a distraction. And we will play politics with Dillon too in 2029,” he added.
The debate centers on Section 5.1(a) of Liberia’s Amended 2014 New Elections Law, which provides that a registered political party that fails to secure at least two percent of votes cast in a presidential election or fails to win at least one legislative seat may lose eligibility to participate in subsequent elections.
Mixed Assessment of the Boakai Administration
Evaluating President Boakai’s administration after more than two years in office, Cummings acknowledged the challenges associated with governing Liberia but argued that the government has not delivered the level of change many citizens expected.
He pointed to continuing economic hardship, widespread public dissatisfaction, and concerns about the pace of reform as evidence that many Liberians remain unconvinced by the government’s performance.
“Ask the ordinary Liberians, the teachers, the nurses, the civil servants, the market women, the students whether their lives are better off than two and a half years ago, and the answer will be no,” he said.
“And until we manage our resources for the betterment of the people, we cannot change anything. Absolutely nothing has changed.”
At the same time, Cummings stressed that criticism of government should not be mistaken for opposition to national progress.
He said he wants the Boakai administration to succeed because its success would ultimately benefit the Liberian people.
Resource Governance and Economic Transformation
A significant portion of the interview focused on Liberia’s management of its natural resources, an issue Cummings has repeatedly identified as central to the country’s development challenges.
According to him, Liberia should not be considered a poor country given its vast mineral, agricultural, and natural resource wealth.
“What I have always said is that you cannot continue doing the same thing and expect different results,” he argued.
“We have the resources others have, and they have been able to manage theirs to the satisfaction of their citizens.”
He pointed to Botswana’s management of its diamond industry as an example of how resource-rich countries can negotiate favorable agreements and translate natural wealth into national development.
“Look at Botswana. They have diamonds and they have been benefiting from them because they had expertise that advised the government how to go about it,” he said.
Cummings warned that Liberia risks losing substantial benefits from future concession agreements, including the proposed Putu Mountain project, if negotiations are not handled strategically and transparently.
‘LEC Is a Rainy Season Utility’
In one of his sharpest criticisms, Cummings took aim at the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), arguing that electricity service remains unreliable despite repeated promises of improvement.
He mockingly suggested that the institution should be renamed the “Liberia Rainy Season Electricity Corporation” because, in his view, electricity supply tends to improve during the rainy season and deteriorate during the dry season.
“LEC today is almost like candlelight,” he remarked, drawing attention to persistent concerns about access to stable electricity throughout the country.
Calls for Transparency on ‘Lofa Project’
Cummings also defended the ANC’s decision to petition the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) regarding the controversial housing project in Lofa County, which has attracted growing public scrutiny.
He said the ANC’s action was intended to test the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“Are we funding the project through the SOEs? In the past we had the issue with Weah building mansions. Is this another way we are doing it?” he asked.
“So many things come to mind, and these are questions we are asking for answers.”
Although the ANC has not yet received a response from the LACC, Cummings said the party intends to pursue alternative legal avenues, including invoking Liberia’s Freedom of Information law.
Warning Against Politicizing Ebola Concerns
Turning to public health, Cummings urged the government to take seriously any potential Ebola threat and avoid politicizing public health emergencies.
“What we need right now is proper coordination and awareness, passing out useful information to the people to keep them informed about what to do,” he said.
“The government must look for the resources needed to prevent any occurrence.”
Drawing from Liberia’s painful experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, he emphasized the importance of cooperation between government institutions and international partners.
Tweah Acquittal and Jury Tampering Claims
Commenting on the acquittal of former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and subsequent allegations of jury tampering, Cummings said the legal system should respect the jury’s verdict while investigating any allegations separately.
“I am not a lawyer, but I am told that once the jury has ruled with a verdict and disbanded, the case is closed,” he said.
“I think the proper thing to do is leave the verdict as it is and investigate the issue of jury tampering.”
He warned that continued pursuit of the matter could create the perception of persecution rather than prosecution.
Border Dispute with Guinea
Cummings also weighed in on the ongoing Liberia-Guinea border controversy, calling on the government to communicate more openly with citizens.
“I do not think the Guineans just woke up one morning and crossed the border into our territory,” he said.
“Something must have precipitated it, and the government must be truthful to us and tell the citizens what is happening.”
He argued that if Liberia had fully escalated the issue to regional and international bodies such as ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, greater diplomatic engagement would likely have followed.
Looking Ahead
As political attention increasingly shifts toward the 2029 elections, Cummings’ remarks are expected to intensify debate over opposition unity, electoral reforms, governance, and the future direction of Liberia’s democracy.
By combining criticism of the current administration with a clear signal of his own political intentions, the ANC leader has positioned himself as an early contender in what promises to be a highly competitive race for the presidency.