MONROVIA – As opposition responses to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s third State of the Nation Address multiply, Liberia’s oldest active political party, the Liberian People’s Party (LPP), has entered the debate with a distinctly ideological critique rooted in social justice and economic equity. Unlike newer opposition movements that emphasize policy alternatives or legacy defense, the LPP’s intervention reflects its historical identity as a conscience party—measuring governance by living conditions, public trust, and fairness rather than growth figures alone. By labeling the President’s annual message as “political rhetoric,” the party seems to challenge not only the administration’s performance, but also the moral direction of governance itself, arguing that widening inequality and elite excess have replaced people-centered development two years into the Unity Party-led government.
The opposition Liberian People’s Party (LPP), the country’s oldest political party, has sharply criticized President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s 2026 State of the Nation Address, dismissing the annual message as “political rhetoric” that fails to address deepening economic hardship and social inequality faced by ordinary Liberians.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, LPP National Chairman J. Yanqui Zaza said the President’s claims of economic stabilization and shared prosperity do not reflect realities on the ground.
“President Joseph Boakai claimed in his address that the economy is stabilizing and promised shared prosperity,” Zaza said. “The Liberian People’s Party strongly contests this assertion and views it as a continuation of deepening suffering.”
According to the LPP, conditions under the Boakai-led administration have worsened for the majority of Liberians, while members of the ruling elite enjoy what the party described as excessive luxury.
“Since the inception of this administration, the Liberian populace has endured relentless hardship,” Zaza said, pointing to what he called long convoys of expensive government vehicles, high salaries for senior officials, frequent foreign travel with large delegations, and other forms of extravagance, even as education, health, food security, and infrastructure remain under-funded.
The LPP cited international data to support its assessment. Referencing the World Bank’s 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief, Zaza said more than one million Liberians live in extreme poverty.
“This stark reality shows that despite reported growth, poverty remains pervasive,” he said. “There are more hungry and angry people than happy people.”
While acknowledging the historic passage of a national budget exceeding US$1 billion—estimated at US$1.2 billion—the LPP cautioned that size alone does not guarantee progress. Zaza argued that the success of the government’s ARREST Agenda depends on credible implementation, enforcement of laws, and strong oversight.
“A budget of this magnitude, if poorly executed, risks becoming a symbol of squandered opportunities rather than progress,” he said, borrowing language used by President Boakai himself.
The LPP chairman further warned that modest economic growth and increased domestic revenue have not translated into relief for households. He cited persistent inflation, limited reductions in fuel and rice prices, high unemployment—particularly among youth—and a soaring cost of living driven by high rents, school fees, uniforms, and household goods.
“These are clear indicators of widespread economic distress that cannot be ignored,” Zaza said, calling on the government to convert revenue gains into visible improvements in people’s lives.
He also expressed concern that public confidence in the Boakai administration is declining, urging the President to change both policy direction and the government’s engagement with citizens.
“The purpose of governance is the comfort of the majority, not the happiness of the few,” Zaza said.
On accountability and the rule of law, the LPP urged President Boakai to end what it described as selective persecution and to act decisively on findings from the General Auditing Commission’s 2024 audit report. The party specifically referenced unresolved issues surrounding foreign donations and agriculture funding.
“Persecution must be impartial and consistent, without bias or favoritism,” Zaza said, calling for implementation of recommendations from the Office of the Ombudsman and enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act requiring state-owned enterprises to publish audited financial statements.
The LPP also called for significant investment in agriculture, describing it as Liberia’s most viable path to food security, employment, and economic resilience. The party criticized the proposed 2026 allocation of about one percent of the national budget to agriculture, arguing that it falls far below the 10 percent benchmark recommended under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme.
“Agriculture is projected to drive GDP growth, yet it receives minimal funding,” Zaza said.
In a comparative argument, the LPP urged Liberia to follow the governance example of Botswana, noting that despite limited natural resources and arable land, people-centered leadership transformed the country into a middle-income economy.
“Liberia has more resources than Botswana, yet remains among the poorest countries in the world,” Zaza said. “The difference is governance.”
The LPP concluded by calling on President Boakai to embrace inclusive, accountable, and people-focused leadership that prioritizes the welfare of citizens over political rhetoric.