Monrovia – The Secretary-General of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Jefferson Tamba Koijee, has issued a strong response to recent criticisms directed at him following his call for party members to prepare for their victory celebration. He emphasized that those making such statements are hypocritical, deceitful, and traitors.
By Jaheim T. Tumu – [email protected]
In a remark made on October 17, 2023, the CDC’s Secretary-General assured a large gathering of supporters at their national party headquarters that preparations for the inauguration scheduled for next January were well underway before the National Elections Commission announced the final results from the October 10 polls. “Let’s get ready for the inauguration. We want to celebrate like never before,” Koijee said.
However, during a joint press conference on October 21, 2023, the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) and the Women’s Situation Room (WSR) described Koijee’s “victory remarks as premature and a potential source of violence.”
“The Liberian Council of Churches and the Women’s Situation Room see the CDC Secretary-General’s victory remarks as premature and potentially incendiary,” the statement said.
Koijee, who made an unannounced visit to several communities, including Buzzi Quarters, Soniwein, Coconut Plantation, and Trench Town communities in Monrovia on a campaign tour on Sunday, October 29, 2023, stated that the same Civil Society groups that criticized him remained silent when CDC supporters were attacked and killed on camera.
Koijee stated, “So when you are a CDC supporter, you are not considered a citizen, and you don’t deserve to live. They have said nothing. CDC supporters have been beaten, chased, and murdered in front of cameras, but these people remained silent. I want to say to you, CDC is fully prepared.”
The CDC’s Secretary-General stressed that he committed no crime in informing party members to prepare for the inauguration.
He reiterated to supporters that as they prepared for the run-off on November 14, 2023, they should also make immediate preparations for the inaugural celebration.
“I’ve heard them saying that Koijee, see how hypocritical they are. They are very hypocritical, deceitful, and traitors,” he said.
Koijee added, “We will engage in effective preparations for the inauguration. If you say that declaring the inauguration is violent, I want to be charged. That’s why we have come to take the conversation to our people in the communities and inspire you to get prepared.”