EDITORIAL : Tame Your ‘Attack Dogs’

AS THE ELECTION season approaches in Liberia, it’s disappointing to see that the major opposition political parties are not cooperating with each other. Instead, members of the four parties are attacking one another for the lead position. This behavior not only undermines the credibility of the opposition but also benefits the incumbent.

IT’S HIGH TIME that the opposition parties stop the attacks and instead, focus on convincing the electorates on why the incumbent must not be reelected. The opposition should each concentrate on their platform and present a compelling vision for the future of Liberia. It’s the magnitude of their platforms that will give them the lead position, not putting others down.

THE PURPOSE OF an election is to provide citizens with a choice between different candidates with different visions for the future. The opposition parties need to understand that this can only be achieved by presenting their platforms and ideas to the electorates. By attacking each other, they are distracting from the real issues and providing the incumbent with a free pass to reelection.

IN VIEW OF this and the debilitating effects it is likely to have on the opposition, we encourage party leaders to train the energies of their “attack dogs” to party promotion. In a sense they have the obligation to tame these “attack dogs” that are now running wild in the communities and on the social media. The level to and the zip with which they accomplish this will determine their leadership capabilities.

NO MORE SHOULD they be quiet about the internal fight. They must speak out whenever their followers threw an out-of-focus jab, even against the incumbent. They should envision themselves in the Executive Mansion and see how easy it will be to lead the people they are badmouthing today. They should also envision themselves as losers and see how they will spend the next six years with “someone who should never have been the president”. When we campaign, we should factor in the future of Mama Liberia.

IT’S IMPORTANT FOR the opposition parties to remember that they are not competing against each other but against the incumbent. The incumbent has the advantage of being in power and having the resources to promote their agenda. The opposition parties, on the other hand, must rely on their platform and the support of the people to win the election.

FURTHERMORE, THE ATTACKS on each other are not only hurting the opposition but also damaging the democratic process in Liberia. A healthy democracy requires a vibrant opposition that can hold the government accountable. By attacking each other, the opposition is weakening its ability to do so.

IN CONCLUSION, IT’S time for the major opposition political parties in Liberia to stop the attacks and concentrate on their platforms. The electorates need a choice between different visions for the future of Liberia, and the opposition parties must present them with that choice. By doing so, they will not only strengthen their chances of winning the election but also contribute to the development of a healthy democracy in Liberia.