Ganta, Nimba County – Supporters of the Unity Party and its Standard Bearer Joseph Boakai last Friday paraded major streets to welcome their political leader in a great show of support and assurance of his victory.
Report by Al-Varney Rogers – [email protected]
What took the day wasn’t the parade. Vice President Boakai for once threw jabs at his critics who often call him “Sleepy Joe”.
“The other day, I was in the Southeast, I was sleeping in Maryland, I went to Rivercess and slept, I went Bomi, Cape Mount and Gbarpolu and I slept there, I have been sleeping in Nimba, the sleeping took us to Tappita, and Butaw, Today we are here to conclude the sleeping,” VP Boakai mocked his critics.
Vice President Boakai who has been campaigning over the past weeks in every county termed his critics as jokers.
“These people are not serious, after 170 years we still have the worst roads, and a messy education system, the excuse is not fourteen years of war,” Boakai said.
The Unity Party Standard Bearer said that he has a history of good performance, adding that he has what it takes to develop Liberia.
“We are not going to be a begging nation, I have done it before, we have Jonny just come and they are saying they have the solution to our problem,” Boakai said.
The UP Standard continued: “This time around we are going to build our country, they can say what they want to say, “For 170yrs we have been given the same excuses, the only thing we been looking for is to serve.”
Vice President Boakai said, with the look of things across the country and the overwhelming support from Nimba, that he’s certain of a one round victory.
“Nimba say they are ready to give it to me, have you ever seen what happened in Monrovia, the Liberian people say they are ready,” Boakai added.
The UP Standard Bearer said that Liberia cannot afford to have a leader with more than one passport.
“We want a leadership with one passport, those who will leave here during Ebola,” he said.
VP Boakai called for free fair and transparent elections adding that this 2017 is destined for him to lead Liberia.
“We want this election to be free, fair, and transparent; this is the time God has destined for us to lead,” Boakai added.
VP Boakai continued: “God has not given you problem, we are number one, be thinking nobody is smart, the level of investment is determined by the educated people you have.”
VP Boakai said people have criticized him of doing little as Vice President adding that the role and limitation of the Vice President are glaring.
“People say you have been Vice President for 12 years but we all know what a Vice President can do,” The UP Standard Bearer said.
Boakai said the only way a partner will respect Liberia is if they see that those in leadership are honest.
“The only way partners will respect Liberia is if you (leaders) are honest,” we got to build an honest society,” Boakai averred.
Nimba County Senator Thomas Grupee pledged Nimba support to Vice President Boakai adding that a one round victory is certain.
“Nimba County, we are not a loser, we have never fought a losing battle. The decision you make here, will empower me to talk to the next President for the interest of Nimba County,” Grupee said.
Grupee said Liberia needs a reconciler and a leader, not a hero, adding that the decision to take up the task on the UP campaign team was dependent on the people of Nimba.
“Over the past years, we been talking to you, when I was named, I was depending on you, we want a leader not a hero, we want a reconciler, we want a leader who has a mind to transform Liberia. We want one round,” Grupee said.
The Unity Party Nimba County Campaign Manager Felecia Yormie challenge Nambaians to show their loyalty to the Vice President through their vote.
“Nimba County prove yourself, with the help of the market women, chief, elders, youth, students, I stand here to say we will deliver,” Madam Yormie said.
Madam Yormie said, Nimba is too big to fit in anybody’s pocket adding that people of Nimba County are not a commodity and Nimba County is a no go zone.
“We weren’t joking when we decided to support Boakai, Nimba County is a no go zone, the Vice President went to the home of senator Prince Johnson and he was well received, Nimba County is too big to fit in anyone’s pocket,” UP Nimba Campaign Manager said.
Madam Yormie continued: “Among many women in Nimba, I’m proud to be announced as campaign manager, prove it Nimba. We are not anybody’s market, we are not bitter balls for people to sell.”
Before the campaign rally Madam Yormie had a school dedicated in honor of the Vice President’s wife.
“We dedicated a school in honor of the incoming first lady Kertumu Boakai,” Madam Yormie said.
A recent mass gathering of grassroots supporters of the Unity Party, particularly among women in the county left observers in doubt as to who controls the county.
The women gathered in their numbers in Sanniquellie to reaffirm their support to the ruling party’s standard bearer.
Under the banner of – Nimba County Women Conference, the women from all walks of life across the county pledged to work to ensure that Vice President Boakai is elected President by the people of Nimba County.
Months ago, Madam Yormie led a mass gathering of grassroots supporters of the Unity Party, particularly women in the county which left observers in doubt.
The women gathered in their numbers in Sanniquellie to reaffirm their support to the ruling party’s standard bearer.
The women from all walks of life across the county pledged to work to ensure that Vice President Boakai is elected President by the people of Nimba County.