Days or even up to the moment President George Manneh Weah and team departed Monrovia for Lofa County on the continuing CDC’s campaign trail, there were heated discussions across the public space.
By: Arthur T. Y. Douglas, Jr., Contributing Writer
The discourse highlighted mixed reactions, especially whether or not the President would pull up the crowd as he’s usually done in various parts of the country, where he had already campaigned.
One side to the debate dismissed any possibility that the President will get the overwhelming support of the people, firstly using the yardstick of massive crowd. This school of thought, predominantly propagated by the opposition community especially the former ruling Unity Party, is deeply rooted in the claim that Lofa county is their strong hold. Suporting this argument are the claims of the strong cultural and traditional allegiance or loyalty Lofians have for their own sons and daughters, especially during elections; and that the UP standardbearer, Joseph N. Boakai, hails from there.
Of course, they may have a point, considering the results of the 2017 elections in which all of the 15 counties, except Lofa, voted overwhelmingly for President Weah.
On the other side of the debate, stalwalts of the ruling party have been declaring that: “Lofa has fallen! Lofa has surrendered!” In a way, they acknowledged the 2017 scenario but were quite defensive that a lot has changed in favor of the ruling establishment since 2017. Citing the 2020 special senatorial elections victory by a CDC heavily supported candidate in Cllr. Joseph Jallah, plus the numerous development initiatives which have given Lofa a rather wonderful face-lift, the ruling party claimed that Lofa has shifted, choosing development over tradition.
However, push came to shove and reality was brought to bear, on Monday, September 25, 2023, when President Weah finally touched down in Lofa County, beginning at the Lofa Bridge, the boundary between Bong and Lofa Counties in Salayea District where a mamomth crowd showed up to receive him. This was the first electric shock down the spines of those termed as “persimists,” warning them to rethink.
As if that were not enough, a much larger crowd awaited the President and entourage in the central town of Salayea itself, where the first political rally was scheduled. The crowd was unprecedented and incomparable to the President’s visit there in 2017. This, again, validating the CDC’s claim, showed a stark divergence from the past.
As usual, President and First Lady Weah, along with Vice President Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor disembarked their respective vehicles and trekked with the crowd from the city center to the rally ground, nearly 10 minutes walk.
“We Didn’t Come For You to Convince Us”
As usual, the political rallies afford the people to express themselves as to their support to the President. One of the most influential and eloquent speakers, First Time Voters chairman Patrick Vesselly, took to the podium with a strong statement as to their assembly at the rally: “Mr President, we did not come here for you to convince us. We are already convinced!”
Patrick went on to explain that they were quite aware of the massive development initiatives being undertaken by the President across the country and in various sectors. He particularly pointed to the ongoing road pavement project from Gbarnga, Bong County to Mendakoma, which has already gone far in its implementation; and from there to Voinjama which is on course as the funding has already being sourced.
The President’s legacy in education – the WASSCE fees payment for all seniors, tuition free policy at various public undergraduate universities and colleges, and commitment to youth development – were also highlighted by the lad.
Also speaking, the first female paramount chief of Lofa, Matorma Siryon, who have served for about 18 years in the position, stated that they were tired of supporting their son, Joseph Boakai with no tangible development initiatives to benefit from. She stated that the road was historic and of great relief to the county, noting that based on it and other developments, they were resolved to reelect President Weah. Also speaking, senatorial candidate Moses Y. Kollie mentioned that, had it not been for President Weah and his decision to begin paving the road and initiating other development projects, Lofa would be celebrating 60 years of existence next year without anything to sure, as far as development and transformation of the county are concerned.
Development over Tradition
From Salayea to Zorzor, Voinjama, Kolahun, Massabolahun, and then to Foya, the message was resounding: that they the people of Lofa would reelect the President based on his passion to transform their lives. The transformation of Foya with various development projects, including the newly constructed city hall, pavement of the main streets, installation of street lights among others were enough to send thousands of Lofians all out in the streets as a sign of their massive support.
But, frankly speaking, there was some remorse in the expressions of Lofians. At every rally, they were apologetic for their 2017 decision to have voted massively against the president. However, they have reaffirmed their commitment to rescind their decision and wisely say yes to Weah-Taylor come October 10. This is just one golden opportunity to do just that. In response, the President promised to return, after he shall have been reelected, to engage with the citizens on various possibilities for more development projects in Lofa.
“You didn’t vote for me, but I owe you Roads,”
Throughout his three-day campaign streak in Lofa, the President was emphatic that he held nothing against the people of Lofa, especially considering their votes’ trend in 2017. “According to the records, you did not vote for me, but I owe you roads. I am building your roads,” the President asserted, stressing that he was not trabalistic. He went on to name a number of Lofians currently in his government and plans for more development projects in Lofa, signaling his intention for Liberia is to build the entire country, not specific counties.
Trusting You to Deliver on Your Promise
With pictures and videos of the President’s presence in Lofa, flooding the social media, the discussions in Monrovia and elsewhere shifted, with many weighing in on one side of the debate which speaks of change in voter’s mentality or perception in Lofa: that the county is never the same as it was in 2017. In fact, “Lofa Will Never Be the Same” is the campaign slogan for the CDC that is being chanted in campaign songs, pasted on various paraphernalia, and translated in the local languages. Believe it or not, the message is making headways.
Though impressed by the show of support, President Weah reminded them of his confidence that they will vote him massively on elections day. For him, his development records and commitment to them, which outweigh those of the Unity Party and other members of the opposition, were enough to attract the citizens’ votes. But now that they have expressed their commitment to his reelection, it was now up to them to demonstrate it at the ballot box.
It is argued that numbers or displays of crowds are not a genuine determinant of victory in elections in Liberia.
However, it’s a powerful tool that politicians use both for analyzing their strengths and weaknesses in terms of popular support and for influencing voter’s perception to their advantage. Therefore, crowds can not be ruled out in Liberia’s political electioneering.
Lofa, the fourth most populous county, elections wise, is a major determant of the elections in the coming weeks. Whoever collects a huge percentage of the votes in Lofa combined with other major counties could stand a better chance of winning the presidency.
While it’s true that every election produces its own surprises, one thing is certain: Lofa is never the same. It’s no longer the solid strong hold of the Unity Party but a battle ground, with CDC seeming to have a slight edge.
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