MONROVIA: Being mindful that his electoral victory was made possible because most of the electorates trusted his ability to deliver the dividend of democracy during the just concluded presidential run -off election, President elect Joseph Nyuma Boakai has said he will endeavor not to betray the trust reposed in him and ensure that they will benefit from their votes just as the National Elections Commission(NEC) officially certificated him and his Vice President, Senator Jeremiah Kpan Koung yesterday at the national headquarters of NEC.
Delivering his remarks shortly after being certificated at the well attempted ceremony, President Elect told the audience that God has been so good to Liberia and the citizens and that there were so many reasons to be grateful to God, while also paying home “to the many whose blood, sweat and tears offered us the opportunities for which we gathered here today, and particularly our condolences to the citizens who lost their lives yesterday of a fuel tanker explosion in Totota in Bong County”
Continuing to acknowledge those who made enormous sacrifices for the cause of democracy, President Elect Boakai said many men and women, whom he described as “soldiers of democracy” paid the ultimate price “so that democracy can survive, in various threats and onslaught for our survival”, thanked God that they lived and bequeathed unto the citizen yesterday’s celebration and told the audience that the only befitting tribute that can be made to them is to offer good service to the country.
Amidst cheers from the audience which included members of the diplomatic corps, leadership and supporters of the Unity Party, members of other political parties, civil society groups, religious leaders, among others, Boakai said “this must not be seen as a perfunctory undertaking. It must be felt in every village, town, and city. It must reverberate throughout our region and the world. Therefore, I call upon all Liberians to join me in building the country”.
“On this occasion, we want to demonstrate our gratitude and renew our commitment to the Liberian people, and by this certification, I pledge that Liberia will be a different country under my leadership”,
“Over the next few weeks and during my inauguration, my Vice President and I will lay out the road map for progress and development. We will fully articulate the pathway to peace, development, and progress”, he said.
He told the audience that the feat recorded in recent time in the forward march with the country’s democracy was not a fluke and urged citizens to “nationally celebrate the watershed moment in our history and in our search for democratic consolidation”
“Liberia has had its share of difficulties and now in a sea of democratic uncertainties regionally and globally, we have demonstrated to the world that we can be different. We can offer a model and set good examples. We can boast of peaceful elections and act responsibly to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition.
“What we celebrate today is the outcome of years of turmoil: military coup, an aberration of democracy, betrayals and now we can all acknowledge the reward of collective endurance”, he said.
In similar spirit of appreciation, Boakai thanked the unity party which “has entrusted me to bear its standard and the great alliance formed with men and women of fortitude, the Liberian people who not only voted but with determination, protected their votes”
He also commended and recognized NEC and its role for correctly interpreting and announcing the votes of the Liberian people.
“We are grateful to our international and regional partners who supported and invested in an idea that has flourished.
“We want to thank our political adversaries and particularly President Weah who conceded even before the last vote was counted. He has also committed his government to a peaceful transition. We expect that the will of the People has prevailed, and we must all listen”, President Elect Boakai said.
He maintained that the outcome of the electoral process which was being celebrated would not have been possible without the full involvement of all Liberians and the international community and emphatically commended them for their participation and support.
“Fellow Liberians and our Friends, what we all applaud today will not be meaningful without the full involvement of all Liberians and the international community. This event will be meaningless if Liberians cannot benefit from the dividends of democracy.
“This must not be seen as a perfunctory undertaking. It must be felt in every village, town, and city. It must reverberate throughout our region and the world. Therefore, I call upon all Liberians to join me in building the country.
“We will not betray you! We will work tirelessly for you! We will ensure that you benefit from your votes!
“LOVE LIBERIA! THINK LIBERIA AND BUILD LIBERIA”, he concluded.
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