MONROVIA – Renowned Liberian journalist-turned-politician Justice Randall Clarke ran the political and official affairs of the late Representative Erol Madison Gwion (Dist. #1, Grand Gedeh Co.) and has mustered the energy to continue on the path of the man whom he served as Chief of Office Staff by running in the ensuing by-election scheduled for 23 April.
Clarke’s knowledge of his late boss’ legislative vision and community development plans for Tchien District propels him to be the favorite in the poll a little of a month away.
“We’re elated to announce that we have submitted our candidate nomination papers with the NEC Liberia (National Elections Commission) to vie in the ensuing by-election in District Number One (Grand Gedeh County),” Clarke said in a social media post-Tuesday.
“Well, our energy is honestly drawn from the fact that we are well-positioned to continue the legislative plans and development roadmap as laid out by our fallen patriot, the Rt. Hon. Erol Madison Gwion, Sr. (peace be to his ashes),” he went on to say:
According to Clarke, he is knowledgeable of the “Great Vision” of his deceased boss, and that he pledged to progress on such vision “in the interest of District #1, the entire Grand Gedeh and the rest of Liberia.”
The late Representative came to power in a by-election in 2021 when the then-incumbent became senator. Mr. Clarke was the national chairman of Gwion’s political movement and subsequently became the campaign manager who secured the victory, FPA has been told.
A co-contestant with Mr. Gwion in the 2017 general and presidential election, Clarke later chose to narrow down for his “father” in the future election and found himself to be the closest ally who helped Gwion to shift development in the District towards the period leading up to the 2023 elections which Gwion massively won but did not take his seat in the 55th Legislature.
Meanwhile, Justice Clarke who is also professionally fluent in French, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies from the University of Liberia and is former editor in the newsrooms of the Liberia News Agency, and Daily Observer newspaper. He first popularized as a broadcaster with the erstwhile UNMIL Radio, where he also contracted for UN Women Liberia and the Government to produce landmark programs essential to the rebuilding process of Liberia.