Monrovia – In a bid to replace President George Weah’s vacant seat in the Senate, ahead of the pending by-elections, the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), is doing everything to ensure that the party retains their seat.
Report by Henry Karmo [email protected]
Since 2005, three Senators have won the seat on the wagon of the party. They include; Joyce Musu Freeman, Geraldine-Doe Sheriff and George Weah.
Montserrado County has been considered the party’s stronghold for years.
In 2014, Mr. Weah, contested against the son of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Mr. Robert A. Sirleaf, securing the highest number of votes compared to any of the other candidates in the Montserrado County race.
Looking to maintain their grip on the county, Representative Acarous Gray (CDC-District-8, Montserrado County), one of two lawmakers in the CDC who have publicly expressed their desires to contest for the seat, surrendered to his colleague Saah Joseph (CDC-District-13, Montserrado County).
Rep. Gray did not only surrender his quest for the position, he also asked the Party Chairman Mulbah Morlu to convince other members of the party’s leadership to put forward Joseph as the only candidate on the party’s ticket.
The Montserrado County District No. 8 lawmaker appeared to agree with some critics, who are saying that the ruling party putting forth a candidate, from the House of Representatives to contest in the pending by-election will create waste of resources.
Said Rep. Gray said: “We must put out one of our best because that seat is the face of the CDC and we are the landlords of Montserrado County.”
“We are willing to work. It is not about me, I have consulted with the flag bearer of the party and the leadership and this thing cannot be about me.”
“When the bell rings, we must vote one, and vote all. Party politics is very important.”
Rep. Joseph is admired and loved by many for his individual role played during the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.
He provided first aid emergency respondent and supported the previous government in the movement of patients from communities to treatment centers when the government had limited resource to come to the aid of those in need.
Nicknamed “Ebola Hero”, Rep. Joseph is the recipient of several humanitarian awards. He was in October of 2018 elected by his people to serve a second term of office.
Accepting Rep. Gray’s endorsement of his candidacy Tuesday, Rep. Joseph called for the support of all partisans of the CDC and supporters who are not CDCians.
“I want to thank my Brother and Colleague Representative Gray for his support and I like to call on all of you Partisans and People who believe in my work to join the wagon to elect me as the replacement for President Weah so that we can continue to provide leadership for Montserado County.”
Mr. Mulbah Morlu, the party’s chair commended the two lawmakers for being party disciplined and promised to take up Rep. Gray’s request with the party leadership.
“I cannot say yes, I cannot say No. But to have Representative Joseph as a consensus candidate is a leadership decision.”
“I will lead the process and get approval from district coordinators, county coordinators and the executive committee leadership of the party.”