Kakata, Margibi – Ahead of Liberia’s 172nd Independent Day celebrations, Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, political leader of the opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC), has reminded Liberians that as people of Africa’s oldest republic they deserve a better country.
As Africa’s oldest Republic, Mr. Cummings said, deserves to have better schools, electricity, roads, hospitals, leadership amongst others.
“As the oldest country on the African continent, we should have leadership of our country that knows how to grow the economy; we should have leadership of our country that can explain what happened to US$25 million dollars and L$16 billion,” Mr. Cummings stated.
Cummings also acknowledged that Liberians will have to learn to work together and make different choices in order to have a better country.
The ANC political leader expressed optimism that Liberia could get better if Liberians in the future make the rightful political decision.
He stressed that the country will not get better if government officials continue to steal public money.
The ANC’s Political Leader further stated that Liberians over the years have had limited access to opportunity and have failed to work together, noting that these factors have caused the country not to be better.
Cummings stated: “Every Liberian has the right to economic opportunity in our country; such opportunity should not be limited to political party and that is one reason why we deserve a better Liberia.”
He admonished Liberians that despite the many disappointments from their governments, they should never get weary, but must be resilient and believe that Liberia will someday get better.
The ANC’s political Leader made the statements Saturday, July 20th, in Kakata, Margibi County when he served as guest speaker at the first anniversary celebrations of the Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia (EFFL).
The anniversary celebration was held under the theme: “Rule of Law, A Foundation for Building a Resilient Society for All.”
Cummings, who is a former executive of the worldwide Coca Cola franchise, used the occasion to challenge members of the EFFL to set example in following the rule of law in their daily lives; adding, “The implementation of the rule of law is the obligation of every Liberian.” The ANC Political Leader also urged his fellow Liberians to follow the rule of law, which he said is the bedrock of any democratic society.
He also used the occasion to canvass for the Montserrado County by-election two candidates, who are contesting on the ticket of the four collaborating opposition political parties, including Cummings’ ANC, former VP Joseph Boakai’s Unity Party, Benoni Urey’s All Liberian Party and Cllr. Charles W. Brumskine’s Liberty Party.
The ANC leader joined the EFFL members as they marched through the principal street of Kakata to where the program was held.
Emmanuel C. D. Gonquoi, Commander-In-Chief (CIC), Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia, termed their gathering in Kakata City as the inauguration of a revolution intended to give power to “honest oppositions.”
“We are not having this inauguration today because we want to have these conservative political figures coming to power in 2023. We are here in this hall because we have suffered a lot and our country deserves better leadership,” Gonquoi stressed.
Gonquoi maintained that Liberia’s problems over the years have never been on ethnic or religious conflict, but the country problem has been giving power to dishonest group of people.
He called for a total change of mindset in order to move Liberia forward.
“We are here today to inaugurate a revolution that will serve as a checkpoint to would be politicians. EFFL will be the checkpoint in 2023!” Gonquoi promised.
Speaking further, the EFFL leaders lamented that some of the politicians they had reportedly invited did not attend the anniversary celebration because they know the record of the EFFL adding that the group will not create the avenue for greedy and self-seeking politicians who will come in disguise.
According to him, they (EFFL) have now being referred to as a “sell-out” by some of their comrades because they do not do what those politicians want them to do but rather operate by the dictates of the “revolution.”
He further stated that Liberians have lived in their own country as slaves and the time has come for total “economic freedom.”
He also lambasted President George Manneh Weah-led government for “making Liberians strangers in their own economic.” The President, he noted, took office and promised that Liberians will not be spectators in their own economy but it is now the contrary.
“Most of the cake is being divided by the foreigners.” The EFFL leader singled out the Lebanese Community of abusing Liberians in their own country. He added: “Foreigners in this county are abusing us and winning all of the contracts.” Gonquoi, not calling directly the Council of Patriots by their name, condemned those in the opposition, who are calling for continued demonstration against the government. According to him, the continued protests might not yield any tangible; adding: “Government will soon start to feed the protesters with water when they continue to protest instead of coming together to derive at an idea about how the government could be defeated in 2023.”