CPP Holds 2-Day Convention Friday -Member Parties Also Announce Respective Conventions

MONROVIA – As the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) of Alexander Benedict Cummings commences its Convention Friday May 12 – 13, 2023 to elect its Standard-Bearer for the ensuing 2023 presidential elections, parties associated with the CPP including Liberty Party (LP) and the Alternative National Congress (ANC) have planned their respective Conventions on the same date in Ganta, Nimba County.

A CPP press release states that the collaborating political parties convene its first National Convention ever in Ganta, Nimba County to elect the group’s Standard Bearer, and Senatorial and Representative Candidates for the 2023 General and Presidential Elections slated for October 10.

The 2023 Convention scheduled to be held under the theme, “Real Change is coming: Time to Fix our Country Together” is expected to be attended by the CPP composition of the collaboration to include the Alternative National Congress (ANC), the Liberty Party, and other political affiliates and interest groups. At present, the current Standard Bearer of the CPP is Alexander B. Cummings, and the release is silent on whether or not he has a contender or he is going unopposed.

However, the release indicates that the two days National Convention is expected to bring together 500 delegates from the 15 counties of Liberia, as well as the United States of America, Canada, and other parts of the world.

Already twelve committees, including Transportation, Lodging, Feeding, Finance, Communications, and Resolution have been constituted, with Counselor Aloysius Toe as Chairman, and Madam Ruggie Barry as Co-Chair of the CPP National Convention.

The National Elections Commission (NEC), members of the Diplomatic Corps, opposition political parties, including the ruling party, the media and other prominent Liberians have been invited to observe the convention, the release disclosed.

Similarly, the ANC which is constituent party of Mr. Cummings in the CPP, has announced that it will on Friday, May 12, hold its National Convention in Ganta, Nimba County to elect its Standard Bearer, Senatorial and Representative Candidates for the 2023 General and Presidential Elections slated for October 10.

According to an ANC release, over 250 member delegates are expected to attend the one-day convention under the theme “ABC a better choice, A better country, Alexander Cummings is Real Change.”

Mr. Cummings, who is the current Political Leader, is expected to be unanimously endorsed as the ANC Standard Bearer for the 2023 Presidential elections, the release pointed out, adding that the ANC, a formidable and Liberia’s leading political party, is built on the core values of equality, hard work, patriotism and development. It represents the diversity and unity of Liberia, united by a common goal to put Liberia first, the ANC release further noted.

“Everybody is somebody”, which is the ANC motto, depicts a vision of inclusiveness of all Liberians and determination to build a strong working middle class the release asserted, saying that the party is in a strong collaboration with the Liberty Party, and other political affiliates and interest groups to field one Presidential candidate in the pending October 10th general elections.

Cummings, 66, has over 40 years of working experience as an international businessman. He worked with Pillsbury Company and moved to Coca Cola Company, where he served as Regional Manager for Coca Cola in Nigeria and later as Manager of Coca Cola Africa, culminating his career as Chief Administrative Officer for Coca Cola Global.

Mr. Cummings who is the Founder of Cummings Africa Foundation, providing scholarships and educational assistance to hundreds of needy Liberian students was conferred the Distinction of Knight Great Band–Humane Order of African Redemption by Liberia’s former President, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, for his great humanitarian work in Liberia and support to various institutions.

He is an alumnus of the College of West Africa (CWA), attended the Cuttington University College, and worked with the Liberia Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI).

With a Master’s degree in Business and Finance from Clark University in Atlanta, Georgia, Cummings said he wants to bring his decades of business expertise and passion to help improve the lives of Liberians as President, through massive economic development programs that will get Liberians back to work.

Cummings has made substantial financial contributions, as well as donated generators and set up modern computers laboratories at the University of Liberia Fendell campus, the Booker Washington Institute (BWI), the Tubman University in Harper, Maryland County, the Nimba County Community College (NCCC), the Grand Bassa County Community College and the Annur Islamic University in Liberia.

Other learning institutions that have benefited from Cummings educational assistance program include the Gbalatua High School in Bong County, the St. Clements University and the College of West Africa (CWA).

Cummings also made substantial financial contributions towards the construction of the Bolongoidu Mosque in Lofa County, and constructed a bridge that connects Big Town to Tubman University in Harper, Maryland County.

The Cummings Africa Foundation (CAF) since its establishment has also implemented more than 22 quick impact projects with 25 implementing partners, which benefited over 30,000 Liberians.

At the height of the Ebola crisis, Mr. Cummings led a high-level delegation of Coca Cola Executives to Liberia and contributed US$1 million, distributed relief items, and paid WAEC fees and tutorial support for 2,322 students from 21 schools nationwide.

Cummings is a family man, married over 40 years to Madam Teresa with two children and five grandchildren, a dispatch from the CPP Headquarters said.

Meanwhile, an official Announcement issued by the Liberty Party said the party will hold its National Convention on the 12th of May, 2023 in Ganta City, Nimba County ahead of the October 2023, general and presidential elections.

The theme of the LP 2023 National Convention of the LP, the announcement disclosed, is, “Upholding the Legacy, Keeping the Tenancies of Democracy and Pursuing Real Change for Liberia”

“The holding of National Convention is consistent with the LP Constitution, Article V(1); title “The National Convention” which provision the announcement indicated speaks to amongst other things,  the National Convention being the highest decision making-body of the party that elects national officers and adopt the party’s platform, policies, and programs.”

In line with all LP Constitution, the announcement noted, the National Chairperson of the party presides over the National Convention.

Accordingly, The Liberty Party says it has constituted its National Convention Committee to include Cllr. C. Powo Hilton, Chairperson; James M. V. Yougie, Secretary; and Rugie Barry, Ex-Officio.

Others are Elder Jallah, Member; Martin S. Kollah, Member; Onisemus James, Member and Manipakei Dumoe, Member.

According to the announcement, delegates to the national convention include members of the Advisory Council, National Executive Committee and County Committees.

Observers to this year’s national convention will be drawn from different organs/structures of the party to include the national secretariat, auxiliaries and standing committees. Special guests, eminent citizens and members of the press will also be invited to witness this year’s national convention, the announcement signed by the LP’s National Secretary General Martin Saye Kollah concluded.