MONROVIA – Ahead of the 2023 general and presidential elections in Liberia, Montserrado County Representative Acarous Moses Gray appears to be playing a smart political game over his next legislative representation, as speculation mounts that he is contemplating contesting the senatorial seat in Grand Cape Mount County.
Representative Gray is a National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the governing CDC.
He is currently serving a second term as Representative of electoral district # 8 in Montserrado County.
But there are reports that the CDC lawmaker is rallying citizens, particularly young people to form his political base and alliance in a bid to be elected in the pending elections.
Representative Gray has been consistently accused by some of his constituents of allegedly abandoning them as evidenced by the construction of his home on the Robertsfield Highway, outside Monrovia and his continuous presence and contributions to youths and others in Grand Cape Mount. But he has denied the accusation on multiple occasions.
His decision taken to consistently provide financial assistance towards the education of scores of youths, empower the locals, and consistently advocate for the pavement of the road leading to Roberstport has placed him under the spotlight.
Speaking when he appeared as guest on the OK Morning Rush Show on OK FM99.5 on Thursday, August 13, Representative Gray reemphasized that he does not intend to contest in electoral district # 8 in Montserrado.
He added that though his decision taken remains personal, he will give a definite position at an appropriate time when he is asked by residents of the district to do so.
“My decision not to contest (in district # 8) is a personal decision that I made on your show so many times; but if the people asked me to contest again, I will come here and make the decision appropriately”.
Not compromising
He disclosed that though he did not grow up or live in Robertsport, he has been extending helping hands to citizens of the area in a bid to support his government’s agenda.
“I have an added advantage under this administration than under the past administration and the realities are there. This is my government. Before I got into politics, I have been giving and helping before across the country. I am currently sponsoring about 40 students in Robertsport and I am helping the surfers. This is just the matter of helping”.
Representative Gray noted that he has not made a determination to contest an elected position in Grand Cape Mount, but he will be a major stakeholder in the county, noting that, “there will be no compromise of that”.
He added that those who think and believe that the county belongs to them should have in mind that he remains prepared to do more than what was not done over the years by others in the county.
CPP will not hold
Speaking further, Representative Gray appreciated the move made by President George Manneh Weah to engage citizens across the country in a bid to know their challenges and help address some of those issues confronting them.
He indicated that though the move made by the Liberian leader brought some level of hope to the Liberian people, the CDC led-government needs to consistently work ahead of the electioneering period.
“We need to consistently work as a government and a political institution; it is not totally over until it is over. We know that the opposition will not hold because, we’re and there are lot of scientific and political reasons that they will not hold”.
“(Joseph) Boakai is aging and this is his last time to run. There will be no argument that he will not go as vice running mate-he wants to be President. So anyone who wants to work with former Vice President Joseph Boakai will have to go second to him”.
He stated that the CDC understands the camp of the political leader of the ANC, Mr. Alexander Cummings, who appears to be the financier who is also aging.
Representative Gray claimed that it would be more “terrible” for Mr. Cummings if he sits and allow Mr. Boakai to excel to the Liberian President for 12 years.
He doubted the possibility of the CPP getting a youthful Vice Presidential candidate ahead of the general and presidential elections in 2023.
He maintained that the in-house fight within the major opposition bloc is another case in point that the CPP will not exist come the next elections.
“Urey is criticizing Cummings and Cummings guys are fighting Urey; there is a whole big house fight and so, they will not hold. As a result of that, the CDC has an added advantage. I am very convinced that the CDC will win 2023. I am not presupposing that we should rest”.