MONROVIA – The Liberia People Democratic Party (LPDP), a member party of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), is demanding an apology from Senator Prince Yormie Johnson for what they perceive as “threatening the peace” and stability of the country due to his assumption and presumption that the elections might be rigged.
By Henry Karmo [email protected]
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, the LPDP expressed concern over Senator Johnson’s statements, asserting that they have the potential to instill fear in the people of Liberia, reminiscent of the 14 years of senseless war that claimed the lives of nearly 350,000 Liberians and foreign residents.
The LPDP statement reads, “Given their roles during the civil wars in Liberia, such statements are intended to intimidate voters into making undemocratic choices out of fear of experiencing genocide and war crimes in the country once again.”
The LPDP goes on to claim that the Unity Party and its supporters are already attempting to emotionally and psychologically manipulate the election process, thus “rigging” it even before the October 10th vote. The LPDP believes that the Unity Party and its allies should seek redemption for their actions between 1985 and 1988, which led to two invasions of Liberia and resulted in extensive loss of life and damage to public and private property, setting Liberia back politically, socially, and economically by 150 years.
The LPDP statement also suggests that instead of resorting to violence, the Unity Party and its collaborators should embrace a peaceful democratic approach and contribute to post-election development efforts to regain the people’s trust in case they are defeated.
As a member of the Coalition for Democratic Change, the LPDP reaffirms its commitment to President Weah’s agenda for peace, stability, and democracy in Liberia, citing previous by-elections that were contested by the opposition but ultimately declared free and fair in their favor.
The LPDP finds it morally objectionable and detrimental to democracy that the Unity Party and other opposition parties consistently employ such negative and speculative tactics to cast doubt on the electoral process, potentially leading to post-election conflicts. They specifically reference the Unity Party’s history of post-election violence and destabilization of the country when they lost elections.
The LPDP calls on Liberians to exercise their right to vote freely and not succumb to intimidation that might force them into making choices that could squander their opportunities once again.
Furthermore, the LPDP claims that since the Coalition for Democratic Change came to power, the opposition has engaged in activities aimed at undermining the government and inciting unrest. They credit Liberia’s continued peace to the President’s democratic principles and his commitment to peace, harmony, and development.
In conclusion, the LPDP expresses its support for President George Manneh Weah’s leadership and believes that he should be given another six years to lead the nation toward prosperity and middle-class income. They highlight the positive impact of President Weah’s decisions on poor communities that were previously neglected during the 12-year rule of the Unity Party-led government. The LPDP calls on all peace-loving Liberians and the Council of Churches, whose members have been involved in threats of war, to condemn any advocates of post-election violence and address the issue promptly.