By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai says it is time for Liberians to reclaim their country. “Liberia must be freed, and Liberians should be freed from the shackles of corruption, impunity and economic misery. That is the job we are here to do and that is what we will do”. Ambassador Boakai said to a rapturous applause from the thousands that had gathered Saturday, September 11, 2021 to endorse him as the Unity Party aspirant for the four Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) standard bearer selection processes.
The CPP comprises the Unity Party (UP) of Joseph N. Boakai; Liberty Party (LP) of Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence; the Alternative National Congress (ANC) of Alexander B Cummings, and the All Liberian Party (ALP) of Benoni W. Urey.
In his acceptance speech, the Standard Bearer of the UP, Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai said he is prepared to serve the people and the Republic of Liberia and urged partisans of the CPP to stand together with the UP to relieve Liberia from what he referred to as a country in crisis.
“To my party, partisans and colleagues, I consider this preferment as a great honor and privilege to serve my people and the Republic of Liberia, and I want to thank our leaders who took the decision. I want to accept the challenge with humility today, as I call on all Liberians at home and in the diaspora to join the political struggle to put our nation back on track,” he stated.
Mr. Boakai maintained that he is prepared to serve and ensure that the country in no time will begin to see a revolution that will restore the lives of the people. He thanked the CPP that will allow him to contest the CPP Standard Bearer, emphasizing that this time around the rights and votes of the people will not be stolen, assuring that his leadership cares and have the connection to build a country that Liberians will be proud of.
According to the UP Standard Bearer, given what Liberia is going through, “We must reclaim Liberia by Liberians. Liberia must be freed, and Liberians should be freed from the shackles of corruption, impunity and economic misery, that is the job we are here to do and that is what we will do.’
He asserted It has become clear that the responsibility to change the course is desperately needed, and that all must rally and put Liberians in charge of the economy, saying, “we are not going to have a country where we will receive royalty for our mineral resources when you should have dividend for them.”
Delighted by his endorsement, Mr. Boakai pointed out that the task for nation building is a sacrifice which all Liberian must be involved with, adding that his leadership will make sure that all Liberians, regardless of their political persuasion, religious affiliation and background, “once you are a Liberian against corruption, disregard for the rule of law and vices that undermine the benefit of the people, we are here for you.”
Recounting the events of the post 2017 elections, the UP Political Leader said he remembered saying that under his watch there will be no blood of one Liberian spilt. “And we did that because we knew that this day would come. We needed to preserve you for a better future. All we are after is to make sure that we lead you a better Liberia,” he accentuated.
Amb. Boakai again called on Liberians to join the CPP to save the country from hardship and the lack of direction, and to bring the motherland back to peace, harmony and development, saying, “you will agree with me fellow Liberians that from the economy to the rule of law, we have hit low due to mismanagement of our resources both natural and non-natural. Our budget should be more than a billion dollars and we have to make sure that Liberians will benefit from this country.”
“I thank you for the confidence reposed in me as Standard Bearer of the Unity Party and Flag Bearer today, we must all put our efforts together to bring needed changes which is called national development. We must stand together to redeem this country. All of the countries around Liberia are below 70 years and after 174 years, it is my sincere wish that all of us put our interest in Liberia first. That is why I said in everything we do we should Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia,” Ambassador Boakai affirmed.
He called on all chapters of the UP and friends to reinvigorate and encourage all partisans and those who believe in the UP philosophy to begin to put into place mechanisms for the revival of the Unity Party and Country. “I am committed to this and can tell you we have friends that are waiting to see a good Liberia – in the educational, health, among other sectors; they want to help but want a Liberian they can trust.”
Unity Party National Chairman, Amin Modad, in his special statement and presentation of Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai as UP Aspirant for the CPP Standard bearer selection processes, said the decision to endorse and present Amb. Joseph Nyuma Boakai is in accordance with the UP’s Constitution to put forward the best candidate for the people of Liberia.
“We believe in the Collaboration and the Unity Party remains confident that Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai is the best alternative to lead the CPP in 2023,” Chairman Modad stated, adding that UP will continue to stand by JNB to ensure he represents the CPP.
In remarks, Senator Karnga-Lawrence said she was honored by the invitation of the Unity Party to represent Grand Bassa County, Liberty Party (LP) as Political Leader and CPP as a Chairperson, and extended thanks and appreciation to the Unity Party for selecting and endorsing Amb. Joseph Nyuma Boakai to participate as Aspirant of the CPP Standard Bearer processes.
“I received the official communication from the Unity Party that Amb. Joseph Nyuma Boakai is their Aspirant, and we also want to announce that UP aspirant Amb. Joseph Nyuma Boakai is so far the only qualified person for the CPP Standard Bearer processes,” the CPP Chairperson noted. “We want to say to you that CPP is not a merger instead it is a collaboration; therefore, we respect political parties who will act in accordance with their Constitution, and we will as well support your decision in line with your Constitution as we look forward to seeing other political parties doing so in agreement with their Constitution. In this light I would like to congratulate Amb. Joseph Nyama Boakai”, she said.
Also in remarks at the ceremony, the All Liberian Party (ALP) Political Leader, Benoni Urey, reconfirmed his party commitment to support former Vice Joseph N. Boakai to represent the CPP in 2023 elections. The former CPP Chairperson admonished partisans across the four Collaborating Political Parties that the journey to 2023 depends on the effort of every partisan.
He thanked the Unity Party for timely selecting Standard bearer Amb Boakai to participate in the consensus process, adding that the UP has acted in agreement with the CPP’s Framework Document, and said “No one can come to a collaboration and dictate to the affairs of other constituent parties”.
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