ANC Prepared To Take State Power -Taa Wongbe Vows as Party Holds Homecoming Event

MONROVIA – If recent prophesy by a ranking stalwart of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) is anything to go, then the era of “from Unity Party to CDC and back” is nearing its end, as to give way for the rise of a new breed of national political champions. Taa Wongbe, Nimba County Representative and national executive member of the ANC, speaking at colorful homecoming event this week said his party is firmly prepared to become the next ruling establishment. The Analyst reports.  

The Alternative National Congress, which has paid its due in the struggle to Liberia’s post-war democratization, is poised to be the next ruling establishment, and is doing the needful, including reconsolidating its membership base, to achieve the objective.

This week, the party held a homecoming event at which time former and backsliding members joined their active political kin and kith to awaken their spirits and morale for regular political business.

One of the estranged members, Nimba County representative Taa Wongbe, was drawn into the homecoming events, where he gave one of the electrifying orations vowing to capture state power in the coming general and presidential leaders.

At the event where the party also endorsed and vowed support to prominent member Edith Gongloe-Weh contesting the Nimba County by-election, other major stalwarts, including political leader Alexander B. Cummings delivered special statements.

For his part, Nimba County representative Wongbe sounded upbeat about the party’s future glory and encouraged partisans to come together with their varying skills and resources because he was sure the party can take state power from the ruling Unity Party.     

He said he and others were not coming back to the party “with hands swinging” or like an empty basket but to the add value and great impetus so that they would push the ANC to the country’s political pinnacle.

“We are coming as lawmaker from the great county of Nimba and the people of District #9 of Nimba County, coming to make sure that we are prepared to all that is required for the success of the ANC,” he said at the homecoming press conference.

The Nimba County lawmaker stated. “Mr. Cummings, I get news for you. You have been resting too long; you’ve been relaxing too long. I know you been resting because you’ve been thinking what will happen in 2029. We will make ANC enjoyable, so sweet that you will come back to run in 2029. We will make ANC a party of the people, for the people and take the Liberian people our first priority. Many people are saying, ‘where’s Mr. Cummings? Will Mr. Cummings run again?”

Continuing, Wongbe said: “ANC has a big history in this country. ANC has a big history in the 15 political subdivisions of Liberia. ANC is prepared and ready to take state leadership in this country.”

He said most of the political parties that made it to the top, including the CDC, started poorly in the political game before recuperating to become ruling parties.

He said: “We saw how we talked about the CDC-led government. Yes, they did some good things but the damage was going on as well. They damaged this country and we said those things, and we also offered solutions. Today, we are in opposition and the people are calling us ‘1% party’. We agree. I want to remind the Liberian people, Where was Unity Party in 1997. They were nine percent, and they came back and they took state power. I want to remind the Liberian people, ‘where was CDC in 1997’; they were not around at that time; they were 0%, and today, they are a vibrant political party. The political road will not be easy. But in the end, we can make it.”

“There will be people who will talk, saying we are not ready; that the ANC is joking; that Mr. Cummings is joking. We are prepared and we will be prepared. Ladies and gentlemen, for six years, these people in power now said, we would enjoy when they get in. Are Liberian people’s lives better now? Do you think you UP is keeping its promises? Or was it just campaign talk?”

 Also speaking during the homecoming event was the Chairman, Lafayette Gould, who gave a brief historical highlight of the party.

“When we started the ANC, I recalled one of our meetings was held in Logan town. When I looked at the people there and say everything will be alright, one of the ladies looked at me and say, ‘this man get dry face oh; are you sure everything will be fine?’ and myself, I had to play brave face and I am like, ‘everything will be ok’.

“I want to say to you that all hope is not lost. You know, I would have started crying if Mr. Cummings has said, ‘you know, the way I see Liberia like this, I just finish with this politics business. And for those of you, partisans, whatever the case is, stay with the party; don’t fight amongst yourselves; we can’t separate; we want to encourage you all come together and be strong.”

The ANC chairman thanked Representative Wongbe for leading the way for return to the party, thus encouraging those who were inactive or moved onto different directions.

“Some people, may be, vex with the party; some people may be discouraged. Whatever the case is; this is your ANC – your only alternative,” Cllr Gould said, adding: “If you have try coco and it failed, you try mecee. When it fails, turn up a new coin. We don’t have to use the same old thing. CDC was in power, I don’t have to tell you what happened. The Unity Party is in power, things are still not better yet. We will to tie our belts. ANC is the solution, and will be the solution.”