Monrovia – Partisans of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) gathered in large numbers at the party’s headquarters on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, for a pre-victory celebration in anticipation of the official results from the National Election Commission (NEC).
Newly elected lawmakers, alongside enthusiastic party members, flocked to the party headquarters, dancing and chanting the party’s slogan. The Secretary General, Jefferson Koijee, took the stage to deliver a heartfelt thank-you message.
Koijee praised the CDC partisans from all 15 counties for their overwhelming support in reelecting President George Weah. He assured supporters that preparations for the inauguration scheduled for next January were well underway.
“Everything is in order. Let’s get ready for the inauguration. We want to celebrate like never before,” assured CDC Secretary Koijee.
He further pledged that individuals from every district across the country would be included in the inaugural committee, emphasizing that this would underscore the victory’s ownership by the people.
Koijee added, “This victory belongs to you. You worked for it. We will bring the inauguration committee to your doorstep. All the necessary arrangements are in progress for the inauguration and our victory parade.”
Koijee also expressed disappointment with the treatment of CDC supporters throughout the campaign period. He cited incidents of violence, such as the tragic event in Foya, Lofa County, where two partisans lost their lives, and the violence during the CDC campaign’s closure in Montserrado. He also referenced an incident involving a student who was attacked on the Fendell campus at the University of Liberia for wearing a CDC shirt. These incidents were seen as acts of aggression against CDC supporters.
The CDC Secretary General emphasized the party’s commitment to peace, stating, “The CDC is a peaceful party. We have chosen to prioritize peace over retaliating in anger, despite the violence directed at our supporters.”
Koijee added, “Our partisans were killed in full view of cameras, but our dedication to peace should not be mistaken for weakness.”