MONROVIA – The ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is grappling with disunity among its constituent members though the general and presidential elections is just eight months away.
The CDC comprises the Congress for Democratic Change, the Liberia People’s Democratic Party, and the National Patriotic Party.
By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]
In recent times, the Coalition has been working tirelessly to keep water under the bridge but both the LPDP and the NPP continued to complain and express disenchantment over marginalization by the Congress for Democratic Change led by Pres. George Weah.
The LPDP is headed by former House Speaker Alex Tyler while the NPP is headed by Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor.
The two constituent parties believe have never been given the due recognition and have often been downplayed in the governance process evidenced by the failure of Pres. George Weah to appoint members of these parties to prominent government positions.
The ruling establishment plans to hold a major rally on Saturday to endorse Pres. Weah as the standard bearer of the Coalition for the October elections, some cardinal members of the NPP have called on the chairman, Sen. James Biney, the standard bearer, Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, and all partisans to boycott the program.
Those calling for the boycott include the county chairpersons, coordinators and auxiliaries of the NPP.
In Monrovia at a well-attended meeting, the partisans warned that if the Congress for Democratic Change continues to marginalize the NPP in the Coalition, they will pressure their leaders to pull out of the coalition and redirect the party into a new political marriage.
The partisans expressed regret and frustration over the manner and form the NPP has been treated by the congress for democratic change over the past five years wherein only congress members are being considered in the allocation of party funds and logistics to function as coalitions well as preference for appointment in government. They view this as being a mere spectator in spite of the huge support the party put up to secure a victory during the 2017 presidential and legislative elections.
Meanwhile, the partisans of NPP have warned their national chairman, Senator James P. Biney, Standard Bearer Jewel Howard Taylor to disengage from all further activities leading to the nomination process.