MONROVIA – The standard bearer of the opposition Collaborating Political Parties, Alexander Benedict Cummings has named former Liberian Ambassador to the United Nations Lewis Brown as his national campaign Chairman ahead of the October 10, 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections.
Other key appointments include Dr. Toga Gayewea McIntosh, former Foreign Minister, as the national advisor; Cllr. Alloysius Toe, Deputy for Legal Affairs; Isaac Vah Tupah, Jr., Deputy for Policy; Cllr. George Gyude Wisner, Deputy for Mobilization and Chairman for Montserrado County; Rev. Josiah Kennedy, Deputy for Logistics; Brisco Toe, Deputy for Auxiliaries; former ANC Chairman Lafayette Gould, Campaign Coordinator; and spokesperson, and former Senator Henry Yallah, Chairman of Bong County, among others.
Addressing his supporters at the CPP headquarters in Monrovia, Cummings said that Liberians face a clear choice between the past, the present, and a promising future. He urged Liberians to opt for a brighter and better future by electing him, alongside his vice standard bearer, Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine. Expressing confidence in the voters’ judgment, he stated that he believes Liberians will make the right decision.
Cummings’ announcement of his campaign team aligns with ongoing efforts by political parties to garner support leading up to the October 10, 2023 elections. Meanwhile, the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) continues to champion the prospect of a one-round victory for incumbent President George Weah and Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor.
In Liberia, while a legislative seat can be secured with a simple majority, a presidential candidate must obtain 50 percent plus one of the total votes cast to win. Observers are skeptical about the possibility of a one-round victory for any candidate due to the substantial number of presidential contenders—20 in total.
Rejecting the CDC’s claim of an imminent one-round election victory, Cummings dismissed the notion as “complete nonsense.” He asserted that President Weah and the CDC have let down the Liberian people, thereby making a one-round victory unattainable. He argued that the only contender with the potential for a first-round victory is himself, Alexander Cummings.
Cummings pointed out that during the 2017 presidential election, when President Weah was at the height of his popularity, he secured only 38 percent of the votes in the first round. Considering President Weah’s underwhelming performance over the past six years, Cummings contended that an outright victory in the October polls is unlikely.
Ambassador Brown, following his appointment, thanked Cummings for the trust placed in him. In a dig at the CDC, Brown criticized President Weah and the party for flooding the streets and light poles with campaign posters, interpreting it as a sign of failure. He argued that if President Weah had performed well, there would be no need to blanket the streets with his image.
“After six years, if Mr. Weah had to put his picture on every light pole to show how he failed, then he really failed,” Ambassador Brown stated. He added that a president who has genuinely served the people and achieved success would not need such tactics to convince the electorates.
