Monrovia – Opposition politician, Benoni W. Urey, has expressed fear that there could be manipulation in the pending 2017 general and Presidential elections if the electorates and other political rivals are not careful with the ruling establishment.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah – [email protected]
Urey said there are schemes by the ruling establishment to continue holding on to state power, saying they must be highly rejected at the ballot box by voters across the country.
He warned electorates against considering current officials of government for the presidency which, he said, will continue to make the country to remain in its current appalling state.
“Let me say to you today that do not vote into power anyone who is serving in this government. If you do not vote for me, vote for any other person who is not a part of this government,” said Urey.
Speaking over the weekend in New Kru Town on the Bushrod Island, he lamented that the messy educational system in the country plus poor health delivery and joblessness and the high rate of poverty have gradually overtaken the country and cannot be overemphasized.
Urey, who serves as the political leader of the All Liberian Party (ALP), noted that the only solution to handle Liberia’s problem is retiring the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf led administration which has accordingly preferred diaspora Liberians for job rather than well-prepared citizens living in the country.
He said it is disheartening young people roaming various street corners around the country are involved with criminality, attributing it to the lack of opportunities for youth empowerment. He said the ALP is the only solution to deal with such situation.
“We believe that the only political party that after one year will take the presidency of this country is the ALP. I guess it’s the first time for most of you to be voting in your lives, this is your best time to ensure that your votes do not go for nothing”, Mr. Urey said.
According to the businessman cum politician, it is saddening that people in the country vote leaders into power who do not understand their plight as a result of their long stay from the country, a tendency he said which must not be exercised in 2017.
He frowned on the lack of price control in the country resulting from limited production of major agriculture products which is a high priority on his leadership agenda.
Urey, however, reminded residents of the Borough of New Kru Town of politicians to be wary of politicians whose intent are to influence their voting with money due to their underprivileged conditions, calling on them to be mindful.
He welcomed efforts by the youth of the Borough in providing scholarships to students of school going age in Montserrado County District # 16.
Meanwhile, an eminent citizen in the area, Bishop P. Manasseh Conto has registered the need for a collaborative effort among residents in addressing other issues within the Borough of Kru Town.
Conto said despite strive by youths in the area to improve education, the flooding and poor health condition remain a major challenge in the district.
Presenting a set of computers and over 200 scholarships to students attending high school and colleges, Conto sounded that a change in leadership is an amicable solution to problems his constituency has faced over the years.
Bishop Conto however welcomed the initiative of the youth in launching a scholarship drive in the district, describing it as worthwhile.