MONROVIA – The Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia (EFFL) is calling on political actors in the country to desist from pushing sectional, ethnic, and religious politics in their quest for appointments to the presidency.
By Willie N. Tokpah
According to the EFFL, this kind of lobbying not only breeds internal strife but also casts doubt on the moral basis of Liberia’s Constitution, which guarantees everyone equal opportunity regardless of tribal and religious linkage but also promotes internal conflict.
“Any reasonable and sound leader would be against democracy and unity if they supported a philosophy based on division,” the EFFL said in a statement issued Monday, January 5.
“Anyone who seeks extreme popularity at the expense of a unified community through politics by using religious, tribal, or sectional playbooks is evil. Our civil conflicts have a long history of such cunning political scheming, and we must take collective action to combat this philosophy of conflict promotion.”
The EFFL said it strongly denounces what it termed, “bad political behavior” of those involved in the increasing number of calls on social media and radio that have been made in recent weeks by political actors urging President Joseph N. Boakai Sr. to appoint people to government cabinet positions based on the aforementioned values.
During his sermon on Sunday, Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson, who strongly supported the Presidential bid of Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai, says that he expects President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to know better than to marginalize partisans of his party, the Movement of Democratic and Reconstruction.
According to him, President Boakai’s administration is cloudy and characterized by so many disappointments, urging Nimbains to manage their expectation.
However, the EFFL stressed that in the interest of promoting jobs for Liberians, politicians need to step back from attacking the presidency.
Thhe EFFL thinks, since the government cannot afford to hire everyone, any demands for jobs should be comprehensive, further emphasizing the growth of the private sector.
“Liberians as a whole will not point the finger at this tribe, religion, or section when the President of Liberia fails; rather, we will collectively criticize his administration and declare that the President has failed the Liberian people,” EFFL added.
For this reason, the EFFL believes, President Boakai should be permitted to choose members of the Executive Branch decisively.
According to the EFFL, pushing tribal, religious, or sectional politics is a risky strategy in a democratic sphere, which is typically anchored by those who wish to have power.
The EFFL warned those involved to disengage from undermining the presidency in the name of advocating for jobs for their people.
The EFFL believes that any calls for jobs should be holistic, with an emphasis on private sector growth, because the government cannot afford to employ everyone.
According to the revolutionary political party, President Boakai should be allowed to select his officials in the Executive because when he fails, there will be a collective criticism of his administration.
EFFL maintained that it is completely unpatriotic to buy popularity by sowing seeds of discontent at the expense of the group, which ought to end.
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The EFFL has declared its readiness to oppose any discussion or program that serves as a means of dividing Liberians for self-serving political ends.
“We all face a greater challenge, poverty, corruption, injustice, and a lack of safety for our women and children. As such, we must work to promote a message of peace and reconciliation for the benefit of all Liberians,” EFFL added.
The EFFL further wants to commend the Boakai administration for adopting the “South-Eastern theory” and urge them to allow more foreign relations with Liberia.
The party said it is high time to establish transparent diplomatic ties with South Korea, Russia, and other nations.
This action, the EFFL assumes, will further the country’s shared economic objectives through various bilateral channels.