RDC, All Political Parties Youth Leagues Pledge Support to CDC

Monrovia – Support for the second round bid of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is gradually increasing following separate endorsements from two political institutions in Liberia.

Report by Willie N. Tokpah – [email protected]

On Tuesday, October 24, 2017, the opposition Redemption Democratic Congress (RDC) of George Dweh and the Association of Opposition Political Parties Youth Leagues in Liberia pledged their supports for the presidential bid of football legend George Weah.

Speaking at a news conference at the CDC headquarters in Congo Town, the Chairman of RDC, Victor S.N. Saylee, said their scrutiny of CDC shows that the party can make a difference if the chance is given it to head the Liberian presidency.

As such, Saylee stated that it was prudent that his party along with all opposition political parties join forces with the CDC for a second round victory.

“Hon. George Dweh is calling on all opposition political parties to put aside individual interests and support Amb. Weah and the Coalition to win this election,” Saylee said.

A preferment of Weah according to him is the only way Liberians can achieve the change they long awaited.

He attributed the 12-year leadership of the ruling Unity Party as one that is marred with hardship, which he said demonstrates Liberians unwillingness to give the ruling establishment another six-year term.

Saylee also challenged Liberians to rally their support for Weah in the runoff if they truly desire a real change of leadership, noting that CDC flag bearer cannot effect change alone.

“Amb. Weah alone cannot make a change that affects the lives of this nation; therefore the need for all opposition political parties to support Amb. Weah cannot be overemphasized. If all of us rally to ensure victory for Weah, the first 100-day deliverables will show the benefits of our people who have suffered the 12 years of Unity Party rule,” Saylee quoted his RDC political leader, George Dweh.

The RDC chairman further noted that his former Liberian House Speaker George Dweh has congratulated Senator Weah for topping the October 10, 2017 poll and making his way to the scheduled November 7, 2017 runoff process.

Responding, CDC Secretary General, Janka Kowo extolled the RDC for the move to endorse his party second round bid, describing it as patriotic.

Kowo said, the RDC through its political leader has shown its love for Liberia which form part of the CDC final push to victory.

In an official endorsement statement, the Association of Opposition Political Parties in Liberia said their support is in fulfillment of a resolution signed in September 2017.

United People’s Party Youth Chairman Michael Tipayson, speaking on behalf of the group registered that the resolution mandates youths in the opposition community to support any of its kind over the Unity Party.

“If one is helping another for the sake of the nation, the both are stronger together and the nation is built and developed, hence, we have come to join hands, forces, ideas, time and energies with our sister opposition party, Coalition for Democratic Change,” Tipayson said.

He further added that the election of an opposition leader like Weah would introduce a new system for Liberia, thus providing a people centered government.

Tipayson informed the media that youth chairpersons from the opposition community have agreed to campaign for Weah in the runoff process to give him state power.

The UPP Youth Chair maintained that their decision was not based on personal gains but facts that change is preferable over continuity.

Tipayson, however, wants opposition political leaders to disengage from any form of negotiation with the ruling Unity Party as a form of rejecting corruption.