Liberia: “It will soon happen” – JNB Responds To Concerns About Delay In Running Mate Pick
MONROVIA – In the wake of concerns and questions about the delay in the announcement of his pick for a running mate, the opposition Unity Party standard bearer, Ambassador Joseph Boakai, asked his supporters on Thursday to be patient because it will “soon happen”.
By: Henry Karmo [email protected]
On March 23, 2023, the Unity Party standard bearer, along with some members of his Unity party hierarchy, took advantage of the ongoing biometric voter registration by registering at a center in the Rehab community, not far from his residence. When asked about people’s concerns about his delay in naming a running mate, he responded by saying, “Let them be patient; it will soon happen.”
In recent days, news about who could be possible running mates to Boakai has emerged in the public. Some of the names include Senator Nyounblee Karnga-Lawrence (LP-Grand Bassa County), the political leader of the Liberty Party, and Senator Jeremiah Koung (MDR-Nimba County), the political leader of the Movement for Development and Reconstruction.
Senator Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence, at a press conference, announced that she would accept an offer to be running mate to Unity Party (UP) standard bearer, Joseph Boakai, if the position were offered. “We are ready to serve our country, so if I am asked to be running mate, I will accept.”
The Grand Bassa County Senator said she is aware of discussions surrounding her as a potential running mate to Boakai but has remained silent to focus on bringing back the dividends of democracy to the people of the county and solving issues within her party. The lawmaker, whose party is enmeshed in internal differences, said the Liberty Party (LP) as an institution will not put forth a presidential candidate but will be the “biggest influencer” in electing the next president of the Republic of Liberia. “I am confident in what I have done in the Senate, what I have done in Grand Bassa, and how I have represented women well in and out of our country. Regardless of what the future holds for me and our party, I am blessed to serve my county, my party, and my country. I am confident that Liberty Party will be the biggest influencer in electing the next President of the Republic of Liberia,” she said.
Like Senator Karnga-Lawrence, Mr. Henry Costa, a famous talk show host, has also emerged as another possible candidate for running mate. However, people close to the UP political leader have dispelled the rumors. Henry P. Costa has said he would accept an offer to be running mate to the Unity Party (UP) standard bearer, Joseph Boakai, if the position were offered. Costa’s name has been trending on social media and Facebook, with many claiming that a deal has been sealed for him to go as running mate to Boakai. But there appears to be an internal fight within the ranks of the Unity Party that could stall his selection. On Tuesday, Costa admitted he was aware of the internal plot within the Unity Party against his potential selection.
Costa’s potential selection as running mate to Boakai has divided opinions, with a faction of supporters of the Unity Party describing it as a ploy of the ruling party, while others believe it’s a ticket capable of defeating incumbent President George Weah.
Senator Jeremiah Koung was named as a possible running mate when his party’s vision bearer, Senator Prince Johnson, paid former VP Boakai a courtesy visit at his residence. The visit, according to many, was to solidify a relationship with the former VP since it was glaring that he and the George Weah CDC were no longer politically aligned.