Monrovia – There are ongoing discussions between George Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and Alexander Cummings Alternative National Congress (ANC) for a possible pairing to establish a formidable force ahead of the 2017 presidential elections, source close to the CDC has told FrontPage Africa.
Report by Henry Karmo – [email protected]
We are aware of the hurdles and issues but we can get there and overcome some of these challenges” – An anonymous source
Though CDC Chairman, Nathaniel McGill told this paper that he was not in the know of the discussions; he admitted that Weah had a good relationship with other members of the opposition, including Cummings.
“That is not to my attention.”
“What I know is Weah has a good relationship with members of the opposition bloc and right now we are focused on the recommendation from the joint technical committee set up in Ganta, Nimba County,” he said.
Not much has been heard in the public of the possible merger between the two parties. And our sources said the quiet discussion had been a strategy on both parts to put up an unexpected force.
“Even some top members of the party seem not to be aware and this is how we have wanted it.
Even now as I speak to you, it is still secret, that is why I have asked for anonymity in this interview.”
“We are working, we are talking. We are aware of the hurdles and issues but we can get there and overcome some of these challenges,” our source said.
In June of 2016, Cummings acknowledged that he had been involved in a lot of discussions at trying to build a coalition base ahead of the 2017 presidential elections.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, incumbent President, is on record for stating that no single political party would walk away with presidency and it will take a coalition of the willing to pull it off.
With 22 parties registered to participate in the 2017 presidential elections and few more likely to follow, a lot of behind-the-scene discussions are ongoing and a lot of promises are being made, but not many appear willing to make concessions.
The discussions between the two political parties, according to our source, are centered on who would lead the merger to elections and how the merger could solidify their force.
The ANC was given birth to by the CDC and because of this relationship many believe collaboration between them easily come by.
Still speaking on the merger discussions, our unimpeachable source said Weah and Cummings had their first discussion in Gbarnga, Bong County in the presence of some CDC lawmakers.
The source further said that Weah saw Cummings as a lesser evil and someone he could trust in the electoral process.
Cummings’ international credibility, experience, financial capabilities, combined with Weah’s grassroots connections and popularity could be a ticket to reckon with.
Some political pundits believe a merger between Weah and Cummings would create fear in the camp of Charles Brumskine’s Liberty Party who was expected by some members of the public to join forces with Weah for a sure victory in the presidential race.
Former Unity Party campaign chairman for Montserrado County, Musa Bility on Monday joined the Liberty Party in what pundits say is one of the biggest moves towards the elections.
In September, opposition political parties gathered in Ganta, Nimba County and signed a communiqué which, among many things, called for the building of a stronger collaboration as they approach the pending 2017 presidential and general elections.
Opposition political parties who were at the meeting include: Liberty Party, represented by Cllr. Brumskine; the CDC, represented by Senator George Weah; the ANC represented by Cummings; as well as the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) represented by Senator Prince Jonson, who happened to be the host and Mr. Benoni Urey of the All Liberian Party (ALP).
At the meeting, Weah called on opposition leaders to put aside their egos and personal aggrandizement if they are serious about forming collaboration.
“When we are on such discussion, it’s good to listen to avoid sounding redundant. We all say the same thing, but in different tone.
We have been in this for more than 10 years speaking of the ills in society and the reason why it continues is because we refused to come together based on our self-ego and personal aggrandizement.
“If we have the interest of the Liberian people, why are we all running? I believe in team work and I think with a better team, one idea and one vision, we can liberate our people.
“We can make our people happy. Let’s rethink our past decisions. We come here and reach an agreement and at the end of the day, we go our separate ways,” Weah stated.