MONROVIA – The opposition Liberty Party held one of its largest fundraisers in Grand Bassa County over the weekend, with the Unity Party hierarchy in full attendance. But amid the fanfare and jubilation that marked the well-organized fundraiser held under the auspices of the Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence faction of the Liberty Party, was the conspicuous signal permeating in Grand Bassa of the sealing of a Joseph Nyuma Boakai-Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence ticket, as some stalwarts from both camps were seen decked out in white T-shirts bearing the photographs of the two political leaders and the inscriptions: “JNB-NKL 2023”.
Attending the program, former Unity Party National Secretary General Mo Ali immediately posted a photo on his social media platform, indicating what many came to construe as tacit endorsement of the Boakai-Lawrence ticket for the 2023 presidential race.
“We are not ambivalent, we are not ambiguous and we know exactly where we stand. The T-shirt tells where we stand and that’s on period,” Mr. Ali stated emphatically.
When quizzed by The Analyst as to whether he was speaking officially as a stalwart of the Unity Party, Mo Ali clarified that he in fact printed his own T-shirt, and that he made the statement based on his personal conviction that the JNB-NKL ticket is the surest means of capturing state power in 2023.
Following in his former Secretary General’s footstep, former UP National Chairman Amin Modad also sort of endorsed the JNB-NKL ticket, when he posted his optimistic opinion about the feelers from Grand Bassa County.
“My personal opinion: Sen. Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence could be a more appealing and sellable VP candidate. What do you think?” Mr. Modad posted on his social media wall.
UP Reacts
As the news from Grand Bassa County started to filter around the country, the Unity Party immediately came out with a definitive position, quashing any idea that the Liberty Party fundraiser was a launching pad for a Boakai-Lawrence ticket.
According to Unity Party National Secretary General Amos Tweh, the party has made no decision on a Vice Standard Bearer slot.
“Joseph Nyumah Boakai and the Unity Party have made no decision for the VSB pick. We will continue to cherish and uphold the values of our relationship with our allies. Broad-based consultations are ongoing, after which a decision will follow,” Mr. Tweh countered, noting that the Unity Party was fully represented at the Unification Fair Ground in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County mainly to grace the Liberty Party’s 20 million fund drive.
Supporting his Secretary General, UP National Chairman Luther Tarpeh cautioned against people using the presence of the Unity Party in Buchanan for the Liberty Party’s fund drive to make it appear as if the Unity Party had endorsed Senator Lawrence as the Vice Standard Bearer to Joe Boakai.
“It is true the Unity Party leadership was in Buchanan to support the fundraising effort of Liberty Party because we value relationship and friendship but our presence should not be construed as a VP pick. In due course, the party along with the SB, will make the announcement of the running mate,” Reverend Tarpeh stated emphatically.
Bility Fumes
In the heat of the mixed signals emanating from the LP Buchanan fundraiser, Liberty Party National Chairman who recently endorsed Mr. Alexander B. Cummings as the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) Standard Bearer, is livid what he perceived as attempts by Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence to use the Liberty Party as a means of seeking the Vice Standard Bearer slot on a Joseph Boakai ticket.
“In the coming days, the Liberty Party will, once and for all, take decisive actions to halt this nonsense that has now turned into a canvass for a VP slot that will never happen. We have had it. It ends now,” Bility warned.
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