MONROVIA – Amidst swirling rumors and political discourse about the 78-year-old standard bearer of the Unity Party’s ability to conduct an energetic campaign due to his ailing health, his vice standard bearer, along with his key political ally, Senators Jeremiah Koung and Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, have suggested that his presence on the campaign trail may not be necessary.
By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]
On Tuesday, a group of Legislature staff organized an endorsement program for Amb. Joseph Boakai and Sen. Jeremiah Koung. It is unclear why Amb. Boakai was unable to attend the elaborate ceremony. Nonetheless, Senators Koung and Karnga-Lawrence expressed in their speeches that they would advise the standard bearer to refrain from participating in the campaign and instead await his induction.
Sen. Karnga-Lawrence, who has been dubbed by the United Party as the ‘Mother of the Rescue Mission’, told the legislative staffers that they, as a team have their eyes fixed on the presidency and would work as a team during the campaign.
“They’re looking at the President, that’s Joseph Boakai, we’re looking at the presidency – that comes with a team, when you have such a team, the country will succeed. We’ll tell Boakai go find a place in Lofa and go on vacation, we do not need you on the campaign trail. We’ll tell him, go and wait for your induction,” she said.
Buttressing her comments, Sen. Koung also said, “Like she said, we’ll tell oldman Boakai to sit down, we’ll go across this country. Each of us sitting here knows how to campaign. We’ll sleep in the car up to October 10.”
Political pundits view these comments as a calculated strategy to provide a justification for the potential absence of the elderly standard bearer from numerous campaign activities leading up to the October 10 elections.
Amb. Boakai’s health has always been a point of controversy when discussing his presidential ambition. He has often maintained that he is fit as a fiddle to contest the election.
However, in early January, Amb. Boakai was admitted at the ELWA Hospital for almost a fortnight. Though members of the Unity Party remained coy and only have out scanty details pertaining to his illness, it was believed that the former vice president suffered a mild stroke.
He left for the United States after being discharged from the hospital.
But as his vice standard bearer and Sen. Karnga-Lawrence have started speaking of his absence during the campaign period, FrontPageAfrica has gathered that Amb. Boakai is due to have an artery replacement in his heart to regularize his heartbeat.
Amb. Boakai, FrontPageAfrica gathered, was supposed to have undergone the surgery on March 23 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, but he called it off, taking into consideration that it would have taken his six-12 months to recover.
According to medical sources, the Unity Party standard bearer is increasingly experiencing shortness of breath due to palpitations (irregular heartbeat). Also, his heart is reportedly now 97.5 percent reliant on the pacemaker installed in 2018.
According to sources, he received advice during his recent trip to the United States that the surgery should be performed within the next six months, with the deadline falling in June. However, it has been reported that he has postponed his trip pending the submission of candidate listings to the National Elections Commission.
FrontPageAfrica gathered that a Chinese doctor, who operates a clinic in Sinkor, has been administering steroid injections to Amb. Boakai on a regular basis. The purpose behind these injections is to provide him with an energy boost and help him maintain his physical well-being, FrrontPageAfrica understands.
According to a medical practitioner FPA spoke to, it’s very dangerous as it could have an adverse effect on his weak heart.
The Unity Party’s standard bearer has faced criticism for allegedly being too frail to compete in the election. However, he has repeatedly refuted claims of having a medical condition that might impede his performance if elected President.
During an interview with VOA’s James Butty in 2021, Ambassador Boakai confidently stated, “I am in excellent health. I have received my Covid-19 vaccination and I am doing well. I fulfill my daily responsibilities, which include tending to my farm and attending my office regularly.”
He further emphasized, “I am fully aware of my health condition, and I am in a very good state. I am more than capable of assuming the presidency, considering I have not required any hospital visits in the past two years.”
When questioned about the possibility of making his health records public prior to the 2023 presidential elections, Boakai responded, “If it is a requirement for becoming the President of Liberia, then I am willing to do so. However, I believe it is not a mandatory requirement. My doctors are aware of my health status, and they will advise me accordingly. What I can assure you is that I am healthy.”
In response to concerns about his age being a hindrance to his presidential candidacy, he confidently replied, “I cannot alter my age, and I am grateful to God for the years I have lived. Age is synonymous with wisdom.”
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
