Monrovia – Vice President Joseph faces a tough battle as he prepares to contest the presidency in the 2017 elections. Not only does he have to face the over a dozen opposition political parties, he also has to draw a thick line between who he actually is as an individual and the perceived failures of the ruling Unity Party under which he serves as Vice President to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Report by Lennart Dodoo & Edwin G. Genoway
“I want to believe that she and I understand that whatever we have done in this administration, we all have different ways of implementing whatever obligation we have. “
“And I believe, like I told her, her style of implementation is different from my style of implementation.
“Myself have been an administrator in many capacities with success, so I want to prove to Liberians that I have my own line of doing things that are proven successful and I am committed to that.” – Vice President Joseph Boakai
In a bid to show distinction, Vice President Joseph Boakai while speaking on Prime FM in Monrovia Wednesday admonished Liberians to recognize that he and President Sirleaf are two separate individuals with different leadership style, therefore, there is no need to be afraid of giving the Unity Party a third term.
In an apparent acknowledgement that there is much still desired of the Unity Party in terms of development, Vice President Boakai said he can better if elected in 2017.
“I want to believe that she and I understand that whatever we have done in this administration, we all have different ways of implementing whatever obligation we have.
And I believe, like I told her, her style of implementation is different from my style of implementation. I myself have been an administrator in many capacities with success, so I want to prove to Liberians that I have my own line of doing things that are proven successful and I am committed to that,” Boakai said.
Boakai further noted that Liberians should understand that 2017 is a critical year and they need to show to the world that they are not just resilient and committed to peace, but also they’re a people consider themselves as coming from difficult situation and willing and ready to come together and build their country.
“We want a peaceful election, we want a peaceful country and we need to continue to be united. let me admit that Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has done what she supposed to do and she has done her best, all human beings are all with different gifts, different backgrounds, and can do things differently,” he noted.
He emphasized his successes while serving administrative positions at various levels in government.
“I have a proven record of performance in many ways. Whatever I had undertaken under God’s guidance, I have been a success. I am honest with my commitment to this country. “
“I am honest in my dealing with Liberians and I have proven that I can work with almost all Liberians. For me, I believe in one Liberia, I believe in a united country and I believe that this country can make much more progress which I am committed to. And Liberians can count on me for that,” he said.
Celebrating His 72nd Birthday
In an unprecedented birthday celebration, thousands of Liberians, mostly Lofians, gathered at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia to celebrate Boakai’s 72nd birthday anniversary on Wednesday.
At the celebration, President Sirleaf reaffirmed her support to the presidential bid of her deputy.
President Sirleaf thanked partisans and citizens for turning out in their numbers to congratulate and stand with Vice President Boakai.
She admonished partisans and supporters to continue their commitment and loyalty to VP Boakai and the Unity Party.
Responding, Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai thanked President Sirleaf for honoring him by her presence at event. He commended President Sirleaf for affording him the opportunity to serve his people and Liberia as her Vice President. He reaffirmed his acceptance to contest 2017 elections.
Vice President Boakai said: “At the Unity Party Convention in June, my friend and sister, President, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, gracefully handed to me the mantle of authority to take on as Standard Bearer of the invincible Unity Party.”
“This was historic and unprecedented”.
Vice President Boakai said he stands by the commitment he made in Lofa County during his petitioning ceremony by the people of Lofa County.
He commended all Liberians for turning out to celebrate with him on his birthday and at the same time called on partisans and all Liberians to work together for the development and progress of the nation, adding – “Think Liberia, Build Liberia and Love Liberia”.
Joe Boakai worked for the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation in the 1970s. From 1983 to 1985, he served as Minister of Agriculture under President Samuel K. Doe.
While Minister of Agriculture, Boakai chairs the 15-nation West African Rice Development Association.
He later worked as a consultant to the World Bank in Washington and also founded a firm dealing in agricultural equipment and consultancy. He has served as board chairman of the Liberia Wood Management Corporation and of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company.