MONROVIA –Thousands of partisans and supporters of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) stormed the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia on a low euphoria, reversing the normal enthusiasm that normally characterized the launch of the party’s political campaign activities in Liberia.
By Obediah Johnson
Normally, scores of party executives, legislators and top officials of government lead separate crowds of supporters to either the CDC headquarters or other venues when the party is launching its political campaign activities ahead of general or by-elections in the country.
But on Thursday, September 7, partisans and supporters of the party were scene trekking distances from their respective communities on the Bushrod Island, Somalia Drive (now Japanese Driveway), and central Monrovia to make their way at the ATS to form part of the program without their parties executives, lawmakers and other public officials taking the lead.
In their blue, white and red berets and t-shirts, they chanted anti slogans against the opposition like: “We Don’t Want Sleeper, We Want Bunga Dancer; Da 12 Years We Want; We Don’t Want Gay, We Want Weah; Yor Yor, Yor Da Weah We Want Yor,” among others.
They disengaged from the usual habit of carrying casket perceiving the demise of their political archrivals during the launch. The party received series of condemnations both locally and internationally when the photos of the Standard Bearer of the opposition Unity Party (UP) were placed on a casket during the official commencement of political campaigning recently.
First time voters were the ones who dominated the launch of the CDC campaign launch. There was a free flow of traffic in some areas, but at the Jamaica Road, Vai Town and Central Monrovia areas, traffic was congested and many businesses were shut down as a result of the launch.
The lukewarm side attractions and poor euphoria, despite the turnout, may have prompted only President George Manneh Weah to speak at the official program marking the launch of the CDC campaign, despite the presence of Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, CDC Campaign Nanager Lenn Eugene Nagbe and others.
Speaking at the launch, President Weah said the gathering clearly signifies how true democracy works across the African continent.
He said his government continues to promote freedom of speech, press, gender equality and women empowerment.
“Fellow partisans, we’ve gathered here today to show to the world that we are the people’s party. We did it before and we can do it again. We are here because of what we have achieved together and to also show the world how true democracy works. We have freedom of press and of the press; gender equality and women empowerment. We have young empowerment and participation in government; together we have achieved a lot in infrastructural development.”
President Weah claimed that the turnout was a show of love by Liberians for their country and to manifest same for him and the CDC come October 10.
“On October 10, 2023, vote for George Manneh Weah for President, your leader, your father, your brother, and your friend; vote for Jewel Howard Taylor for Vice President, your mother, your sister and your friend.”
The Liberian leader said first time voters have made the right choice to support the CDC, “the people’s party and your party.”
The Liberian Chief Executive, however, admitted to the existence of those he called “disenchanted voters” among his supporters.
He said Liberians, especially disenchanted voters, should not be carried away by those claiming to have the magical wind to rescue them and fix the country.
“Fellow CDCians, the Weahcians, the first time voters and the independent voters, the disenchanted voters, our physically challenged voters, hear me and hear me well. They are claiming to be rescuers and fixers; let them show you how and what they have ever rescued and fix for the Liberian people. Did they rescue the educational system? No. Did they rescue the health sector? No. Did they rescue the agriculture sector or the economy? No.”
President Weah noted that those requesting to be given another chance to lead the country have already “squandered the opportunities” to rescue the nation and its citizens.
President Weah described himself as a leader “a developer, and a talk and do leader well connected” and best suited to lead the country.
He bragged of educating many Liberians before ascending to the Liberian presidency.
“Before becoming President, I educated people in this country. Today, it’s no surprise that education is free. Your children are attending public universities free of charge. Today, parents do not have to struggle to pay WASSCE fees.”
The Liberian leader further claimed to have constructed more hospitals and roads as compare to past Liberian presidents over the last five years.
He said the construction of parks or recreational centers, which would be extended to other counties when re-elected, is another milestone that should be considered by the citizenry.
President Weah further promised to reactivate and strengthen the National Cadet Program to give young people the opportunity to gain experience on the job while they are in school.
He, however, commended partisans, supporters and first time voters for their commitment towards supporting the CDC and ensuring a better Liberia.
“I want to thank you for your commitment, resilient and love for country and for your President. I will not make you shame.”
First time voters
The campaign launch of the CDC was dominated by first time voters, many of who are between the ages of 18 to 20 years. They were the ones who were seen in high zest, giving flavor to the launch.
Speaking in an interview with FrontPage Africa shortly after the launch, the first-time voters disclosed that their decision taken to endorse President Weah is due to the high level of disunity and consistent attacks against one another by opposition politicians in the country.
They claimed that though “all is not well” under the Weah-led administration, the failure of the opposition to form a common front to defeat President Weah compelled them to be with “the devil you know than the angel you have not seen before.”
“For me, I was not even thinking about supporting George Weah because of the hardship that is in this country. My mother and my father are supporting the UP, but I told them that because the opposition has failed to listen to the Liberian people to unite and remove President Weah, we too will not listen to them to support any of them during the elections,” Darius Freeman, an executive of one of the first-time voters auxiliaries of the CDC stated.
He noted that despite the numerous ills in the society, first-time voters, who are not adequately informed, would prefer President Weah over the other candidates.
According to him, the opposition still stands a better chance to win the elections if they commit themselves to supporting an opposition political party during a possible run-off.
“The way the campaign is going, we are hoping for a second round because, the opposition too is campaigning. But when second round comes, the opposition may win if only they hold together because they are in the majority.”
Requests from first-time voters
“Whether President Weah brought kush to Liberia or is a buga dancer, da Weah we want. He is trying his best to develop our country. If you look around you will see that he has constructed parks, roads and he paid our WASSCE fees. Some of us were not going to take the national exams. We know that the country is hard, but we don’t want another President to come and refuse to make public universities free and cancel the payment of WASSCE fees for our brothers and sisters,” Rachel Simpson, 19, stated.
The first-time voters want a policy passed to make all public universities across the country free.
They also want a commitment towards the payment of fees for students sitting national examinations at all levels.
“Instead of us studying, we are forced to come to sell to fee ourselves and our families because, our parents are not working. Even if President Weah does not win, God forbid, the next President should provide job opportunities for our parents and our older brothers and sisters,” David Forley, 20, noted.
Also speaking, Grace Flomo, observed that President Weah has been struggling to help transform Liberia.
She believed that the extreme poverty and hardship being experienced by vast majority of Liberians under the Weah led-government did not derive from the current regime, adding that, “we want the President to continue his development and change this country.”
Meanwhile, the first-time voters are calling for the prosecution of those who have been implicated in corruption to serve as deterrence to would be corrupt public officials.
They indicated that the prosecution of corrupt former and current public officials will help end the culture of impunity and replenish what has been illegally taken from the Liberian people.
“I want the next President to jail those who stole from us. People say we have many resources but we continue to suffer and only those who stole from us and their children are enjoying. If we don’t take action against them, stealing will continue in this country forever,” Patience Dennis, 22, noted.
The Crowd Politics
Crowd politics has consistently played during electioneering periods in Liberia.
Those vying for the presidential are constrained to mount pressure on executives of their respective parties to engage into intense engagements with citizens, especially those residing in some communities before launching their political campaigns.
There have been claims and counterclaims of dollarizing the process to show numerical strength.
Additionally, the distribution of t-shirts and campaign materials to supporters and partisans continue to serve as contributing factors for citizens to troop in and form part of political campaigns.
At times, these campaign materials land into their hands of political opponents who desecrate these materials by placing it on animals and minors to discredit the turnouts of their archrivals.
The high level of dissatisfaction and disenchantment among executives of the CDC over the sidelining of the party’s Chairman Mulbah Morlu and the handling of campaign funds, slowed down mobilization for the just ended launch of the CDC.
The grassroot support from supporters from slum communities was not at a higher peak as compare to the past. The zest of the launch was not noticed at the level of the various communities
However, Liberians are poise to make a determination in the coming weeks to elect their new leaders to stir the affairs of the country for the respective years as enshrined in the 1986 Liberian constitution.