Monrovia – Liberia is becoming politically charged ahead of general and Presidential elections in 2017 with the number of political parties increasing as it now stands at 22 registered parties with other parties undergoing the necessary registration processes to be certificated by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
With a popular notion that no one political party is capable of winning upright first round victory in the pending 2017 Presidential election, a conviction that has already been echoed by incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, it is believed that there are intense discussions ongoing amongst political parties to work together in ousting the ruling party from power
During the last two elections, due to the crowded political field with many political parties and candidates, no party was able to win first round victory with the Presidential elections of 2005 and 2011 all decided during the runoff.
The pending 2017 Presidential election is predicted to be no different from the last two-where no political party was able to win during the first round of polling and incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who is not eligible to contest has already sounded that no party is likely to win alone.
As political parties and individuals prepare for 2017, there are constant rumors of meetings and discussions between political parties to either form a merger or collaborate during the political process.
In one of the latest of secret meetings, FrontPageAfrica has gathered from credible sources that the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and the newly created political Party, Movement for Economic empowerment (MOVEE) held a secret strategy meeting during the last weekend.
Though issues discussed in the meeting are still unknown but sources close to the two political parties confirmed that the meeting was held at the Congo Town headquarters of the MOVEE. The meeting according to sources brought together leaders of the two political institutions.
CDC denies meeting
But Mr. Mulbah Morlu CDC Vice Chairman for Operations and Mobilization has disclaimed the news claiming that suggestion about a meeting between the two parties is false, misleading and deliberate attempts to lie.
In further comments the CDC VP for Operations said, he has no knowledge of any such meeting with Dr. Jones Party. He said the CDC has never attended a meeting with MOVEE and that the date mentioned for the meeting he (Morlu) was busy participating in a hunger strike and that he could not have been able to attend such meeting if it was held.
Morlu said: “Such a suggestion is false, misleading and a deliberate attempt to lie. More so, it is not to my knowledge that the CDC ever held a meeting with any political party recently. You guys doing propaganda for ANC Cummings Party?
This is the most likely place such false information would be coming from brother.”
The CDC has repeatedly said it is open to collaboration with other political institutions but has maintained that its candidate will not go second to any other individual.
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, Dr. Jones, recently accepted a petition from some citizens to contest the presidency in 2017 and said, job creation will be the watchword of his government, promising to lead a government that is business- friendly.
At a colorful program marking his acceptance of a petition to contest the Presidency held on Wednesday May 25, 2016 at the Paynesville Town Hall, the former CBL Governor also promised that access to finance will be critical, along with building capacity of Liberian entrepreneurs through training and technical assistance.
Dr. Jones said small-scale manufacturing and agricultural development will be strongly encouraged while using innovative ways to build and maintain infrastructure. Such multi-pronged approach, he says, will be the basis for dealing with the scourge of unemployment.
It was also gathered from legislative sources recently that some members of the Liberian Senate where CDC political leader George Weah is serving as Senator of Montserrado County and Vice President Joseph Boakai also constitutionally serving as head of that body were working hard behind the scene to get Vice President Boakai and Weah to contest on a single ticket, convincing Weah to accept a deal.
But the task ahead looks hectic especially with the incumbent endeavoring to grip unto power which will see the opposition staying out of power for another six years making it 18 since the country first post war election in 2005.
With 22 parties registered to participate in the 2017 Presidential elections – and a few more likely to follow, a lot of behind the scenes discussions are ongoing and a lot of promises are being made but not many appear willing to make concessions. Many are wondering why?
“Collaboration is the most effective means by which the Liberian opposition can capture power at the polls.
“We are currently discussing with all members of the opposition block with a view to device a means by which we can all join efforts to create a government that is able to deliver prosperity to the Liberian people” Menipakei Dumoe, Secretary General, of newly found Liberia People Democratic Party (LPDP) told FPA recently.
If elections were held today, the utterances of all the major contenders would on paper suggest that they are all willing to form a coalition or merger in hopes of solidifying their bases for victory in 2017.
Henry Karmo – [email protected]