Monrovia — An elite member of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), who predicted the defeat of his political leader George Manneh Weah prior to the conduct of the 2023 general and presidential elections, has ruled out a clear chance for the return of Mr. Weah to the Liberian presidency.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Mr. Weah succeeded ex-President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in 2018. However, he was democratically defeated in the 2023 general and presidential elections by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Speaking when he appeared as guest on the OK Morning Rush on OK FM 99.5 on Wednesday, October 9, former Representative Solomon George disclosed that Mr. Weah and his government went astray when they failed to think about Liberians while steering the affairs of the country.
George, former lawmaker of Montserrado County’s seventh district, observed that former President Weah was surrounded by many people who never had the “heart” for Liberia and its citizens.
He maintained that those were individuals “crooking” the Liberian people.
“It is proven today what I said yesterday that they were crooking the Liberian people. I am sorry to say that, I said that (George Weah) could be defeated (during the elections.). I said this to Chief Cyril Allen that we will not win the next elections because of these two persons.”
Mr. George maintained that though he had a personal relationship with the former Liberian leader, ex-President Weah failed to listen to him during his stay in power.
He disclosed that he felt that multiple private discussions he held with ex-President Weah to help and “make the people feel good about us” following their efforts applied to bring the CDC to power in 2018 could have been listened to and implemented when Weah became President.
“President Weah was a special person to my heart. I was living on Center Street and he (Weah) stopped with me for a while before he went to Cameroun. He’s a special person to me but I regret he never listened to me.”
Outburst was misconstrued
“I would like to say without mincing of words, George Weah never listened to me; I became an enemy to his government. Today, they are seeing what I said yesterday that ‘Mr. President, put these people in Ghana, they must go bag and throw them away or else they will bring disgrace to us.’
Mr. George emphasized that despite his outburst against the Weah led-administration being misconstrued, he was speaking out because Liberia is above any individual or political party.
He said President Weah has not openly recognized his shortcomings which contributed to his defeat, but he (George) knows that the ex-President regrets about not taking actions on pieces of advice that were proffered to him every time in his heart or in bed.
He stated that Liberians could have wished for a third term for Mr. Weah if he was a listening President, noting that, “any leader who does not listen is bound to fail.”
“We lost because we didn’t listen to our people. If you watch, CDC has always had the crowd. People love George Weah because; God has given the people’s hearts to George Weah. But when loyalty is not harnessed, respected or honored, the loyal ones can switch or twist.”
According to him, Mr. Weah return to the presidency depends on the manner and form in which he will relate to the Liberian people currently.
He continued: “CDC has been and is the biggest political party in this country, but if Ambassador Weah was to come back (to the presidency), there are certain things he must do and I don’t believe he will do it. I don’t see him coming back if he does not do what he is supposed to do with the people.”
Boakai will succeed
Speaking further, Mr. George claimed that “God took the country from the hands of the old people and put it in the hands of the young people,” adding that, “but the young people misled.”
He maintained that Liberians cherished and loved Mr. Weah at the time, but their loyalty was not harnessed and respected.
As a result of this, Mr. George noted that those who were loyal to the CDC defected elsewhere.
Mr. George observed that current challenges citizens are faced with were inherited by the Boakai led-administration.
“I believe that (President) Boakai will succeed. Watch Boakai, he will succeed; the reason why he will succeed is because he knows only God can make him succeed. His ministers or wise men that are messing him up, he has to do something to them. This government must look at the CDC government as a mirror –put the good and bad things to one side each and throw the bad ones away.”
Experience at Legislature
Mr. George further pointed out that his ascendancy to the national legislature was very disappointing as many of those serving were only concerned about personal gains.
He observed that though a similar trend is ongoing at the first branch of government, it can be reduced to some extent.
“If you are representing the people, you must do what the people say and what they want. Men you think will fight for the people are the men stabbing the people at the back.”
He graded the former Speaker of the House of Representatives Alex Tyler as one of the best lawmakers in Liberia.
He noted that despite negative reports against Senator Tyler, he (Tyler) was a leader who cared for his people during his days at the House of Representatives.
Mr. George, however, encouraged the current Speaker of the House Fonati Koffa to be mindful of the manner and form in which he is serving his people.
According to him, Speaker Koffa is appearing tough to please everyone in the discharge of his duties.
Mr. George blamed the National Legislature for being responsible for the numerous problems confronting Liberia and its citizens.
He said many of those elected most often “do their own thing,” instead of working in the interest of their people.
He added that on the other hand, citizens disrespect and scold leaders who are working in their interest.
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