MONROVIA – Considering the intricacies and the impact a running mate should exert on the quest for victory by a political party or a Presidential candidate, the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) have place high premium on getting someone with the magic wand that could turn the 2023 contest a resounding one for them with the decision to unveil a Vice Presidential running mate to Mr. Alexander B. Cummings 60 days ahead of the timetable set by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
Mr. Cummings who made the information public on Sunday, February 26, 2023 when he appeared on SKTV, an online media platform during an interview said besides qualifications and competency, other characteristics of a suitable Vice Standard Bearer would be a person with self-confidence and security, an experienced team player with background in both public and private sectors, young and energetic with origin from a vote rich county, and an extrovert to complement him since he is an introvert.
The businessman turned politician whose party, the Alternative National Congress(ANC) and the Liberty Party(LP) had combined forces to resuscitate the Collaborating Political Parties(CPP), might have perfected his stand on women participation in leadership when said his preferred choice would be female who has integrity but noted that whoever fits these qualities and is considered suitable by the committee as his running mate will be announced at the party’s convention later next month or latest April.
Speaking on the affirmative advocacy for 30 percent women participation in government, Cummings said, as a strong advocate for women, when elected President, he will ensure 40 percent women representation in the cabinet. He said a Cummings administration will ensure full participation of all Liberians irrespective of political or party affiliations, ethnicity, and religion, noting that inclusion in government will be based solely on qualifications, competence and good integrity.
The choice for a vice presidential pick has been a major concern in almost of all the political parties gunning for the plum job in the ensuing election with individual parties finding options germane to their own peculiar needs though their seems to be a consensus to fish from a vote rich county.
While the romance in the old CPP comprising of the Unity Party (UP), the Liberty Party (LP), the Alternative National Congress(ANC) and the All Liberia Party(ALP) lasted, there was a crucial issue of who heads the joint CPP ticket at the time between former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and Mr. Cummings. When both of them parted ways, speculations became rife in both camps as to who could eventually go as a running mate to each of them.
It can be recalled that at the special national convention held in Ganta in 2021, the National Chairman of the Liberty Party while endorsing Mr. Cummings as their preferred candidate stated that LP will give him a free hand to pick any person of his choice as running mate and not necessarily from the LP once Cummings was comfortable with the choice. He said once the choice is made, LP will pose no objection but work with the ticket so as to win the presidency in 2023.
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