Monrovia – Unity Party (UP) vice standard Bearer Emmanuel Nuquay has promised to be a submissive Vice President to his standard Bearer Joe Boakai to ensure good governance and development.

He made the promise in Kakata Margibi County recently at one of the Party’s campaign rallies.

The UP Vice standard Bearer told a gathering of supporters that he remains grateful to vice president Joseph Boakai for selecting him as his running mate.

Speaker Nuquay promised that as VP he will ensure that every Liberian will have their share of the development that will be carried out under their administration.

VP Boakai selection of a running mate took over six months until the surprise naming of Nuquay as his vice running mate.

Prior to the House of Representatives Speaker being announced as running mate to Boakai there were several names tipped to fill that gap including; former Pro-tempore Gbenzhongar Findley, who lost to a little known Jonathan Kaipay in Grand Bassa County in the special senatorial election in 2014.

Findley left the UP for the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) after being rejected for the post of a running mate to vice President Boakai.

Nuquay comment of being submissive to VP Boakai could ring a familiar bell in the ears of many politicians and political commentators reminding them of the UP standard Bearer comment of being a racing car parked in a garage.

In some of his interviews, in response to criticisms that the UP standard Bearer did little or nothing to positively impact the lives of Liberians he said, his role as Vice President limited his abilities to things he wanted to do. At some point he made revelations about how he was not allowed to recommend a name for a ministerial positions in the Government he served as VP in for 12 years.

Critics believed Boakai was treated that way because of his submissiveness and if that is the similar submissiveness the UP Vice standard Bearer is referring to then it is unexpected that he might do much to make impact. 

At a mass gathering in Margibi, Nuquay promised that the UP will remain sensitive to the plights of Liberians and that he will not abandoned his root as Vice President of Liberia adding that he will ensure, with the consent of his boss, develop programs, and undertake project as well as attract more foreign investments to improve the lives of all.

Also speaking Vice President Boakai renewed his commitment to turning Liberia into a Country that every Liberian can be proud of. He re-sounded his commitment of connecting the Country by paved roads to enhance economic activities across the country as well as, improve the living standards of all Liberians.

Vice President Boakai however called on supporters and partisans of the Unity Party to ensure a one round victory saying a one round victory will save the country from economic burden.

By law, Sunday is set as the deadline for campaign activities. As the deadline approaches, political parties and politicians are making their last rounds of campaign activities.

 On October 2nd 2017, in Kakata   Margibi County supporters of the Unity party gathered to reassure their support to Vice President Joseph Boakai.

The City of kakata was overwhelmed by thousands of Margibians from various districts and townships in the county demonstrating and assuring the VP of their votes on October 10.

Among the supporters who gathered was former Margibi County Senator in the Samuel Doe regime, David Menyongar who assured Vice President Joseph Boakai that the Citizens of Margibi County are resolved without any reservation to elect him as the next president of Liberia.

He also promised VP Boakai that as it was done in 2005 and 2011 constantly when Margibians overwhelmingly voted for the Unity Party and that with the face of one of their sons, Emmanuel Nuquay on the Unity party ticket; Margibians are hundred percent going to vote for the UP ticket.

“We are not prepared to lose this golden opportunity of producing a vice president that is productive and hard working.” He called on all citizens of Margibi County to remain focused in supporting the Boakai-Nuquay ticket.”

Monrovia – Experienced Liberian Economist and Politician, Francis Chuchu Horton has joined the bandwagon of support for the Boakai, Nuquay Ticket in the October 10, 2017 Poll.

Report by Willie Tokpah – willie.tokpah@frontpageafricaonline.com

The former Central Bank Governor popularly known as ‘Chuchu’ noted that his support to the Boakai-Nuquay Ticket is not aimed at seeking for job since he has already reached his retirement age, but squarely meant to ensure that Liberia gets a true leadership that will drive the country to the next level.

His endorsement of Joseph Nyuman Boakai for the presidency and James Emmanuel Nuquay for the Vice Presidential slot comes Thursday, September 14, 2017, days to the official campaign launch of the ruling Unity Party Presidential bid scheduled for Saturday, September 16, 2017.

Mr. Horton feels Boakai and Nuquay are best suited amongst several vying for the country’s highest seat, following evaluation of several pairs for the Liberian first and second highest seats.

“It is therefore in this context and background; that I endorse the candidacy of Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Emmanuel James Nuquay to be elected as president and vice president of the Republic of Liberia, on October 10, 2017.”

“ They are my choice; difficult as it might have been, given the number of personalities running for these positions, individuals whom I have known and interacted with and I have found them to be honorable person, but I have made my choice,” Horton said.

According to Horton, his preference of the Boakai-Nuquay Ticket is not based on sentiment but on substantiating realities which can be found and easily verified.

Speaking in Fiama Sinkor, the experienced and popular Liberian statesman who sees himself as an example for direction, Horton thinks it is time for the right people to lead Liberia, something he dares not ignore.

He holds the views that despite no one has rights to question the National Elections Commission certification of various presidential candidates, Boakai and Nuquay remain his choice who are deem honorable to lead Liberia.

Chuchu admonished Liberians participate in the voting process but to do it critically with conscientious diligence in moving Liberia positively, reminding them that their decisions would serve as indispensable key to forging the future.

Amongst several criteria best suited for Boakai-Nuquay leadership bid, the founder of Operation Mass Support-UPMASS named the pairs uniqueness as born and bred Liberians, their attributes that characterize honesty, sincerity, kindness forgiveness and understanding, being principle minded and being exposed to executive management level in public and private sectors.

Horton further indicated that the candidates among several others understand Liberia and its people very well in relations to custom, tradition and culture and that they do not possess discriminatory attitudes, especially towards tribe, race, religion, color or creed.

He argued that Boakai and Nuquay records over the years show no detail of criminality and have exhibited industrious attributes to not only been employee but employer, while at the same time they believe in the global concept of one world in relation to regional and international cooperation.

The prominent Liberian statesman described the Boakai-Nuquay platform as one that reflects social, economic and political reforms that speaks toward religious freedom for Liberia.

“The candidates must be totally and completely opposed to any form of corruption, but most especially the candidate must be God fearing, and God fearing and Godly in their everyday living,” Horton intoned.

The former CBL-Governor described Boakai as an astute and responsible person whose life is an open book, citing “Joseph Boakai Troubles nobody.”

He also maintained that Boakai services as Managing Director, cabinet minister, Vice President and entrepreneur as well as a businessman in agriculture and other forms of businesses proves his ability to ably lead the country.

On the other hand, Chuchu is confident that Nuquay’s good work over the years speaks resoundingly and sufficiently about the nature and quality of he holds to serve Liberia.

“Why would anyone want to deny the current Vice President Joseph Boakai and Speaker Emmanuel Nuquay the presidency and vice presidency of Liberia when they serve in the second and third highest positions in the Government of Liberia,” Horton asserted.

He supposed that electing Boakai and Nuquay will improve Liberia’s educational system, medical and health system, improvement of the country security network and ensuring freedom of movement as well as improve the communications and infrastructures among others.

Meanwhile, Horton stated that a refusal to take a positive ticket like that of the Unity Party according to the Liberian Economist would prove detrimental to the upliftment of Liberia. 

Buchanan, Grand Bassa County – ‘It’s time for a native man to rule,’ remains the foundation of the Unity Party’s elections campaign as recently resounded by the vice standard bearer, J. Emmanuel Nuquay who on Monday, September 4 urged the people of Grand Bassa County to support a “native ticket”.

Speaking at the Unification Pavilion to hundreds of supporters in Buchanan, Speaker Nuquay told his supporters that the UP’s standard bearer, Vice President Joseph Boakai, was the son of a rubber tapper while his father was a farmer who never had the opportunity of attaining any formal education.

He said: “It is time for Liberia to move forward through the Boakai-Nuquay ticket, a ticket which is the real country ticket, a ticket that knows the needs of the Liberians because of our background.”

Speaker Nuquay further boasted of having a balanced ticket noting, “Joseph Boakai represents the elders of Liberia and me, Emmanuel Nuquay, I’m representing the youthful population of Liberia.”

Speaker Nuquay told his supporters that they should not get carried away by the messages of change preached by opposition parties, noting that even the Boakai-Nuquay ticket is opting for change.

Speaking further on change, he explained that change is coming to Liberia because President Ellen Johnson’s government is fading out and their entire election is about change.

“This election is about changing from one president to another because Madam Sirleaf is leaving and there will be a new president come January; stop preaching change as we all are contesting for change,” he asserted.

Nuquay noted that most politicians in the opposition talking about change in government are only seeking their personal gains and don’t mean well for the country.

He further urged the people of Grand Bassa County to rather support a county that is prepared to take on the presidency, noting that there is no prepared Bassoian for the presidency in the upcoming election.

“Bassolians you need to liberate Bassa through this election because when your time comes, you will need the support of other counties, “Nuquay

“Stop being fooled by those claiming to be the owners of Bassa when they are not prepared because I myself come from the Bassa belt which is Margibi,” Nuquay stressed.

Report by Elton Wroinbee Tiah, FPA Contributor

Boakai, Nuquay Support For Liberia’s Presidency Swells

Monrovia – As the campaign for the 2017 Presidential and Representatives Elections heats up across Liberia, Unity Party Presidential Candidate and his vice Ambassador Joseph Boakai and James Emmanuel Nuquay continue to receive overwhelming support ahead of the October polls.

Speaking during a news conference, the Secretary General of the group under the banner “Comrades of Nuquay” sounded a warning by saying “The year 2017 will go deep down in history, as Liberians prepares to vote new leadership for a smooth transition after the October 10, 2017 Presidential and Representatives elections”. 

The comrades of Nuquay, according to Nyanpen, were launched in Monrovia to intellectually propagate the Boakai- Nuquay Ticket for a better Liberia come 2018.

He said that comrades of Nuquay is the conglomeration of proficient and effective communicators from different political orientations who share ideological similarities regarding the forward march of Liberia and consider Ambassador Joseph Boakai and Speaker James Emmanuel Nuquay as the best Ticket for the holistic transformation of our beloved Republic.

“We are prepared to intellectually disseminate the real information about Ambassador Joseph Boakai and Speaker James Emmanuel Nuquay across the country regarding their individual leadership experience and ability to lead or administer the affairs of our country for the next six years, and to react to all negative propaganda meted against them in any fashion”. 

The Comrades of Nuquay chief scribe Jerry Nyumah Nyanpen further indicated.

Mr. Nyanpen said their goal to generate massive public support for a one round victory for Boakai and Nuquay come October 10, remains unbending and uncompromising. 

He further sounded a strong worded warning that the Comrades of Nuquay is warning all those in the constant habit of negatively discussing the incoming President and Vice President to take cognizance of the fact an intellectual no fly zone has been created to intellectually bring down all intellectual puppets across the country.

Kakata, Margibi County – The leadership of the Margibi County chapter of the opposition Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) has endorsed the ruling Unity Party vice and Presidential candidates, Vice President Joseph Boakai and House Speaker James Emmanuel Nuquay barely week after they tendered in their resignation.

The Margibi County MOVEE entire leadership along with an auxiliary “Friends of Mills Jones (FOJ)”, a group also involved in promulgating the Presidential bid of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia on August 5, 2017 jointly tendered in their resignation through a letter addressed to the party’s National Chairman, D. Maxwell Saah Kemayah.

In the two-page communication, the Margibi County leadership of MOVEE and FOJ cited barrages of counts as reasons that triggered their decision to resign.

They noted in the letter: “We the officials of the Movement for Economic Empowerment and the Friends of Dr. Mills Jones Margibi Chapter have unanimously accepted and agreed to resign from the party with immediate effect based on the following; Lack of information dissemination, budgetary and logistical supports, platform, campaign strategy, and disrespect to district and county leadership”.

The communication bears the   signatories of thirteen officials including the Chairman of FOJ, party’s Chairman, Vice Chairman for Administration, General Secretary, Chairlady, Youth Chairman, among others.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you; we are under constraint to reach this decision”.

“We wish you well in your political sojourn” officials of the opposition Movement for Economic Empowerment and Friends of Mills Jones concluded in their communication.

Just as House Speaker James Emmanuel Nuquay boastfully revealed of being the mastermind of the exodus of the entire leadership of the Margibi County chapter of MOVEE and FOJ, it was truly manifested over the weekend when all the former officials of MOVEE and MOJ took to the podium at the Kakata City Hall under the banner of a newly established political movement “Positive Thinkers of Margibi in Support of Boakai and Nuquay”.

Speaker Nuquay speaking at an elaborate endorsement ceremony in Kakata, Margibi County organized by the Positive Thinkers of Margibi in Support of Boakai and Nuquay said that he was overwhelmed and glad that the former officials of MOVEE and FOJ have realized the need to come back home after their time away “on loan”.

“We reached out to them and spoke with them for the task we have on hand, is about our county and our future, that when we do rightly and produced a resounding victory, we will take our rightful place in the politics of our country”

Speaker Nuquay urged Margibians.

He warned that if the people of Margibi County failed to do so, they will have no space in the body politics of the country in time to come.

 “For of our brothers and sisters that are still out there, we want to appeal to you to see the need for all of us to work together in the interest of our people, our county and country”.

“This is not about Nuquay or Amb. Boakai, is about our country and our people” Speaker Nuquay noted.

The Margibi County district number five Representative bragged that the Boakai-Nuquay ticket is the most experienced in termed of the governance of Republic of Liberia. 

“Ambassador Boakai roused through the ranks, as you may have heard that he walked from Foya to the capital Monrovia, he has lived a very humble life, he has lived a selfless and dedicated life and he has served in high profile positions in our country with distinction”, Hon Nuquay remarked.

He stated that Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has proven over the years to be flawless, tested, tried and well prepared to manage the country and reconcile the people of Liberia.

 James S. Tarnue, former Margibi County MOVEE Chairman and now head of the Positive Thinkers of Margibi in Support of Boakai and Nuquay presenting statement of endorsement on behalf of his organization pledged unflinching support to the Boakai-Nuquay ticket based on the numerous developmental initiatives for the social and economic, and political growth Liberians stand to benefit from the UP team.

“With heart and hands united, we do here by affirm our overwhelming supports to the Presidential and vice Presidential bids of his Excellency Joseph N. Boakai and honorable J. Emmanuel Nuquay for the October 10, 2017 Presidential election” Mr. Tarnue declared.

He, however, assured the Boakai-Nuquay team of his group commitment to vigorously campaign in order to get the needed votes.

Yawah Jaivey, FPA Contributor

Gbarnga, Bong County – The 2017 Presidential election in Liberia is drawing mixed variables which combination could be suitable for some candidates.

Report by Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

One of such emerging variable is the Central Alliance, which is being heralded by chiefs, elders and stakeholders from Bong, Margibi, Nimba and Lofa Counties.

A new campaign tool has emerged for the Joseph Boakai-Emmanuel Nuquay ticket with a Bassa Chief from Kokoyah District in Bong County rallying his kinsmen that they should hands in forming the central collaboration to overwhelmingly support the Boakai-Nuquay ticket.

Paramount Chief Togar Glaybo speaking Saturday when citizens of Bong County reaffirmed their support to the Boakai-Nuquay ticket said it is time for the Bassa and Kpelle from Margibi to join ranks with those from Lofa to give the Boakai-Nuquay ticket a first round victory. 

“All the Bassa people from Margibi and Bong, let us join our brothers and sisters from Lofa to make this one round”, Chief Glaybo said.

Glaybo’s stance was also buttressed by Chief Flomo Barwolor who spoke on behalf of Bong County during the ceremony.

Chief Barworlor said there was no question about Bong County support to the Boakai-Nuquay ticket and it is only time from others to join in supporting the two sons of Margibi and Lofa counties.

 “We are already resolved as a county and people to support the Boakai-Nuquay team,” he said.

Bong County Senator, Henry Yallah, Governing Chairman of the People’s Unification Party (PUP) that has now brought Nuquay to the bigger political limelight, said the nomination of Nuquay by Vice President Boakai is a fulfillment of the purpose for which the PUP was formed.

Mandate from the chiefs

Senator Yallah disclosed that chiefs from the three central counties during a meeting in Gbarnga in 2016 mandated political leaders of the four counties to ensure that a prominent son of the region is supported to become either President or vice President.

“The dream of our elders and chiefs has now been fulfilled with the selection of Nuquay as vice standard bearer of the ruling Unity Party”, said Senator Yallah.

According to him during the meeting where the chiefs and elders gave the mandate, symbolic broom and cutlass were offered to pave the way for a political success for any individual selected from the central region.

No vacancy

Yallah said at the moment, there is no vacancy for other political parties in Bong besides the Boakai-Nuquay due to the level of unity subsisting between the people of the county.

“If you think the kpelle people are divided then try and see this October. No vacancy in Bong for any political parties besides the Boakai-Nuquay ticket. Whether you are a vice running mate from Bong County or not, the people of Bong County are resolved to support the Boakai-Nuquay,” Yallah said.

This is the first time political leaders of the county have united to support a party in an election year since the election of former President Charles Taylor, who won Bong County in the 1997 election with 89 per cent of the votes, according to the National Election Commission.

Why central alliance could aid Nuquay?

The central counties have a lot in common ranging from the same tribes, activities and close traditional ties.

In all four counties two tribes cut across-Kpelle and Bassa with people from these tribes accounting for a good number of the population of these counties.

Margibi is shared in good portion by Kpelle and Bassa and a collaboration of the two tribes as expressed by chiefs from both sides rallying support for Boakai-Nuquay is a good signal, according to political observer Weah Sondah.

“This new political formulation could pay off for the Boakai-Nuquay team because these counties share something in common,” he said.

Also in Lofa County, an entire district – Salayea – is dominated by the Kpelle and along with those from other parts of the county; the mandate by the chiefs to their people is a big boost to the Boakai-Nuquay ticket, Sondah added.

Heavy lawmakers support to Nuquay from all three counties is another major factor in favor of the Boakai-Nuquay ticket.

Lawmakers from other political parties seem to be firmed on their support to the Boakai-Nuquay party irrespective of political party affiliation.

At the program, nearly all Bong County lawmakers were present. According to Representative Prince Moye (Unity Party District #2) Nuquay’s style of leadership at the House of Representatives has enabled him to woo lawmakers from other political parties to the PUP.

”Nuquay has proven to be a leader who is selfless and a team player that is why his presence continues to attract our peers to the PUP,” Rep. Moye said.

Also, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) was dealt a big blow when one of its lawmakers, George S. Mulbah, defected from the National Patriotic Party – one of three political parties that formed the coalition – to the PUP.

Another lawmaker, Edward Karfiah, who served as Campaign Manager for Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor, now Vice Standard Bearer of the CDC, during the 2014 Special Senatorial Election, has also joined the PUP.

Representative Tokpah Mulbah, who also won two successive elections on the ticket of Congress for Democratic Change, is another lawmaker who has now joined the PUP.

These defections, according to political pundits, come at a big cost to the opposition and huge benefit to the Boakai-Nuquay ticket.

Strange political ties

Followers of Bong County politics have indicated that the 2017 election is proving to be a strange political mixture in the county’s history.

According to one political observer, Sheik Sheriff, this is the first time for more than five lawmakers from Bong County to support a common cause.

Lawmakers contesting against each other are for the first time in the county firmed on supporting the same Presidential ticket despite their political difference over the representative seat.

This could see representatives candidates campaign for their election separately and telling their respective supporters to vote the same Presidential ticket.

Former Bong County Senator, Franklin Siakor, who is supporting the candidacy of Boakai, is supporting district two representative aspirant Matthew Siakor at the disadvantage of incumbent Prince Moye.

It is acclaimed to Representatives candidates supporting a common cause in Boakai-Nuquay.

Nuquay accepts petition

Received the petition, a visibly elated Nuquay praised citizens of the county for the petition and said it didn’t come as a surprise.

He said he was glad that the people of Bong County have understood the essence of their numerical strength to unite with one voice in the October election.

“I am very grateful with the petition today. Is about time we in the central region unite for change. Let’s fulfill the dreams of Gabriel Kpolleh, former Bong County superintendent.”

Sky is the limit

Speaker Nuquay, addressing the mammoth crowd, said when the central region is united; the sky is the limit in achieving political success.

He said the region has the unique opportunity to make history and prove many things wrong.

“For years people held this perception that people from the Central region cannot hold, because we are envious of each other but this 2017 political season has proven that perception wrong”, he added.

The Unity Party vice standard bearer said the 2017 Presidential election is about time to take the unification of the country highly.

He alluded that the unity from the lawmakers of the central region propelled him to the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“I would like to appreciate lawmakers from Bong, Nimba, Margibi counties for the unity they exhibited in making me Speaker.”

“Had it not been for such unity I would not have been Speaker,” he added.

‘Boakai is a unifier’

Speaker Nuquay described Vice President Boakai as a unifier based on the level of endorsements he has received in almost all of Liberia’s 15 counties.

“Boakai is a symbol of unification, so why worry about unification when you have Boakai. Why also worry about development when you have a selfless person in Boakai?” he noted.

He described the long journey by Boakai from Foya in Lofa County to the Capitol in Monrovia as an indication of the kind of person that is heading for the presidency.

He challenged the central region to make maximum use of its numerical strength to ensure a first round victory come October.

Monrovia – The Representative of Montserrado County District #6 and Representative Aspirant of Sinje district in Bomi Count, Edwin Snowe has told the people of the county that there has been no opportunity better than the opportunity he, Vice President Joseph Boakai and the Speaker of the House of Representative Emmanuel Nuquay have for them.

Report by J.H. Webster Clayeh – websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

For almost 12 years now, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the former Speaker of the House of Representative, Alex Tyler who was relieved of his post last year on suspicion of corruption represented the people of Bomi County at both at the Presidential and speaker level, respectively.

According to many prominent resident of the county, their representation as President and the Speaker of the House of Representative has not changed the livelihood of the people in the county.

Among many prominent residents of the county is Representative Snowe, although his desire to be representative in Bomi County has come under strong criticism from some quarters of district #1 in Bomi County.

He said if the people of district #1(Sinje) love him; it is only fair that they give their votes to the Unity Party ticket which comprises the Vice President Joseph Boakai and that of the Speaker of the house of Representative Emmanuel Nuquay as President and Vice President.

Expressing thanks and appreciation to the people of Sinje, Bomi County during an endorsement ceremony program recently, Rep. Snow told the resident that their endorsement is not about sending him back to the Capitol building but rather it is about working together to improve the living condition of the people in the county, something he says was not done in the past.

 “There had been no better opportunity for Bomi than this one”, Snow told over 24 Chiefs including Elders, women and also youth of Bomi County district #1.

“The first one; there were some missteps for 12 years.”

Snow added: “This one you got a vice President who lives here, went to school here and married a woman from here to become President. You will get a Vice President who also married a woman from here.”

“Elect my uncle Joe as President; elect my brother and friend Emmanuel Nuquay as Vice President. And of course then we will start to talk about bring the speakership back to Bomi County,” Snowe cautioned the people of Bomi County.

Monrovia –  Speaker Emmanuel Nuquay has heard the talk – and the tape; but says he is unmoved even as controversy continues to swirl over his choice as the running mate to Vice President Joseph Boakai in the upcoming presidential elections in Liberia.

Report by Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

“The good thing I’m happy about also – is that, nobody has been able to raise any issue with respect to particular things that I have done in my district, in serving my people that will corroborate with the tape recording they are playing; but on the contrary, we have done things to prove them on the contrary”  – Speaker Emmanuel Nuquay (PUP, Margibi County)

Since his selection last Monday, the leader of the lower house of the national legislature has been in the news for all the wrong reasons:

From the leak of an audio recording on which he is heard going on an angry rampage to the lingering effects that has dogged Ambassador Boakai’s decision to pick the Speaker as his running mate.

Debunking Senator Grupee’s US$2M Chatter

Looking to debunk much of the misconceptions that has followed him in the past seven days, the speaker went to bat Tuesday in a bid to take on his critics and show why Boakai has put his faith in him despite the loads of criticisms and other options that were available at his disposal. 

The ruling UP vice standard bearer dismissed suggestions that he paid Vice President Boakai US$2 million in a bid to be selected as a running mate.

The revelation was contained in an interview granted a local radio station in Ganta by Senator Thomas Grupee(NUDP)

Senator Grupee was quoted as saying:

“Now, there is a common saying that money cannot buy love. If it is true that Nuquay used money US$2 million dollars as it is widely being perceived now, for him to secure his vice-Presidential nomination – of course I don’t think that will speak well for them. If that is not the case and it is based solely on his character as a public servant – then we will see the reaction before the election – I mean before the campaign even start – Senator Thomas Grupee, (NUDP, Nimba County)

But speaker Nuquay on Tuesday dismissed the comment as laughable and regrettable.

The running mate to VP Boakai said contrary to what has been reported, he had no intentions of being a running mate to Boakai.

Displaying campaign materials including shirts, caps and scarfs already brought from China for his re-election bid for District No. 1.”

“Margibi County, Speaker Nuquay averred: “I never anticipated this. I built a team, we worked together, we printed all of our campaign materials, we have containers in the port as we speak, we cleared a container of motorcycles few weeks ago; we’re working as a team here, we did not anticipate this.”

Speaker Nuquay says had he had any interests in becoming Vice President, he would not have printed campaign materials in China.

“I wouldn’t have done that. But this is politics and this is what people do. And this is the reason why people shy away from politics people will want to smear their good character.”

“What is being done is regrettable because I see it as a classic disrespect to a selfless and dedicated public servant who has served diligently for more than 35 years, a very humble and immaculate father of our land, one who has lived an exemplary life for many young people to emulate, he has been tested, many, many times.”

Asked when he had an idea that he would be the pick, Speaker Nuquay acknowledged that he was approached by a few friends who had heard that his name was on the shortlist but discouraged him from encouraging it.

“Initially, there were friends who came to me and said you know the media was speculating and on the basis that my leadership team came to me and forewarned me that, we don’t want you to be a part of this. We have built our leadership team here, we are sure of the future.”

“We can work and retain the leadership, it there’s such a thinking, please disengage and as such, one or two persons talked to me out-rightly I said, no! But closed to, between the seventh and the tenth, there were people who came and said, look, we think you should reconsider.”

‘That Fateful Morning, I Was Called

All this he said took place in the span of the past few weeks. “Even some of those able lieutenants who came and said don’t’ engage, they came and said look, if this happens, please accept. After they came to me I said well I’m not asking for anything.

Since you are the ones that will make me to succeed, in the event when I’m nominated I should accept, I will accept, if you say I should remain then I know you will not be the one to come 2018 and haunt me out of here.”

“So, you have it, if the decision is made, I will accept, if it is not made, I would remain. And that was my last statement to them and we waited until that day we were called, that fateful morning when I was called.”

Regarding the tape which has been making the rounds on social media and generating buzz on the talk radio circuit, Speaker Nuquay said the entire recording was taken out of context and dates nearly two years, long before he selection as a running mate to VP Boakai.

The Speaker said: “Let me establish that contrary to what was heard in the public that after I was nominated I felt that I had authority or that I was on the verge of becoming vice president and I would use my power to go after people.”

In fact, Speaker Nuquay averred, his power as Vice President would be much less than the speaker’s position he currently holds.

“The speakership is more powerful than vice presidency, I mean I can say that. That is not true. I have not spoken to the media as I am doing now since I was nominated.”

“The only time I spoke to a media person was when I got nominated at the SKD Sports Complex and I was asked about the process, that was all. This is the first time I am having a major interaction with the media. So, I did not make such statement after being nominated by VP Boakai.”

He added: “The fact is that recording was done sometime last year or year before last, I cannot really recall the particular event.

“But what is the background? We need to understand the background and in this country sometimes people do not address issues when those issues are raised but they want to capitalize on maybe something they can portray negatively because of politics.  What was the major issue that was raised in that recording.”

The speaker said contrary to what is being perceived about him, he has been able to work to establish myself as a dominant political force in his district, to the extent that he has been able to rally forces to produce leaders at the county level.

As such, he explained, there are people who harbor political ambitions at the level of the district in order to be representatives.

“We welcome that, we appreciate them, I mean that’s their constitutional right but the political contest should be on the basis of ideas and what you bring to the table. It should not be on the basis of rudeness, it should not result to insults to parents, family members – and this is what we frown on.”

Speaker Nuquay said his intent in the gathering was to issue a word of caution to some people who were raining insults on him and he was simply putting them in check.

“My intent was to advise the young people to say, look, you cannot come to the political contest relying on violence, relying on rudeness, insults to my parents, my family members. We thought to advise them and say look, when you do these things you will have a price to pay in the future.

No matter how long it takes, these records will haunt you. That’s what we try to portray.”

“Today, as we speak, I’m not in the contest anymore. There are some of them who been wanting to come to me, how do they come to me? That’s the price they have to pay now because they were rude, they were disrespectful, they cannot get my blessing, so they have a price to pay.”

‘I have a Thick Skin’

The Speaker went on to dismiss critics who have suggested that the recording portrays a picture of intolerance.

On the contrary, he said, he is a humble human being.

“Everybody knows me, everybody knows me in my region to be humble, to be a very humble and compassionate man and above all to be a man of development.”

“People honor and appreciate me for development, they know me for that. So, if you portray me as being someone who will witch hunt people then they really don’t know me.”

The Speaker has vowed to use the recording to his advantage and turn on his haters who have misread and misrepresented him.

“I will take that recording and address a big rally and say, these are people who want power, they portray me as someone who is going to hunt you. Look at my life, look at what I have done for you. Look at my life, compare what they say about me and the life that I have lived, you know me.

But again, my advice to people will be, look, don’t go for them because in essence, I am saying that our politics should not be politics of violence, our politics should not be politics of disrespect. They want to introduce violence into the body politics of our country, don’t’ go for them, go with me because I frown on, they want to encourage.”

Speaker Nuquay says he is not one who holds grudges as some have suggested by listening to the recording.

“I’m very tolerant, politically, I have thick skin. Let me say this to you, people don’t know me. In 2005, when I contested, there’s a town called Bopolu, they voted for me overwhelmingly. I built for them a youth center, equipped it with DSTV and then I took the President there in 2011.

In 2011 because one of their sons was in the race. I’m now a son from that region, they voted against me overwhelmingly. Sometime around 2014, 2015, they asked me for a meeting, they wanted to come and see me, I told them, I will come to you, I went to Bapolu, they presented their plight to me.

The principal issue they wanted to address to me was that the public school was now taken over by the government, it was being used by the SRC before but the government took it over, there were volunteer teachers, they wanted their children to go to school, their teachers were leaving because nobody was there to pay attention to the volunteer teachers, to pay US$500 monthly and that they wanted to work with me.

They made some mistakes, but they realize their mistakes. I accepted, today’s date, ask the county education officer, he can verify that, I pay on a monthly basis, US$500 to the people of Bapolu to keep the public-school open. If I was a man of vengeance, I would have never done that.”

‘I Have No Fear’

Asked whether it was difficult for him, staring down at the possibility of losing both his speakership and the Executive branch of government, Speaker Nuquay acknowledged that it was a tough call.

“Certainly, it was a difficult decision when you take into consideration the wrangling for power; when you take into consideration the enormous difficulties it would take to get adjusted.”

“I came from being a representative on the floor to getting elected on a white ballot and I’ve been speaker for nine months, the being requested to being a running mate on the ticket of the forerunner of the campaign for the presidency of our republic that’s a huge transition  and to make such a decision it was extremely difficult because firstly we form a team here in the House of Representatives so that selectively we support one another in the field to get re-elected and to have the opportunity to provide leadership for a full term.

What we are providing is leadership for one year, three months. Our entire anticipation was let’s work together, build a leadership team, get re-elected, come and have the opportunity to serve the Liberian people at level of speaker for six years.”

Asked whether he feared losing it all, if the UP fails to win the presidency for the third successive elections, Speaker Nuquay, the son of a Presbyterian minister said: I’m a child of God! Whatever future God destines for me is what I will face. So, I have no fear.” 

Monrovia – No choice for a running mate in Liberia’s recent political history has generated so much controversy as the selection of Emmanuel Nuquay has.

Report by Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Vice President Joseph Boakai’s Running Mate on the 4-G Farmington Hotel Passage, his assets to the ruling Unity Party Ticket and erasing perceptions about his close ties with the Abi Jaoudi Family.

“First of all, let me establish that I’m not engaged in any business anywhere or at no point in time have I ever been engaged in a business venture with any Lebanese; I have never been engaged with any business with a Lebanese either here in Liberia – or in any part of this world – Speaker Emmanuel Nuquay (PUP, Margibi County)

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, who was named last week by Vice President Joseph Boakai, the candidate for the ruling Unity Party in the upcoming presidential and legislative elections, has gotten off to a rugged start.

The surfacing of a tape recording in which the speaker appears to be going on a venting rage immediately drew outrage from Liberians both at home and abroad and spurred a social media discussion frenzy that has ricocheted across the political spectrum, leading many to conclude that the ruling party had shot itself in the leg.

Critics were also enraged that the vice president chose to take a dip into a legislative body that has very low approval ratings from the general public amid perceptions about corruption and bad concession agreements.

Saddled in controversy, Mr. Nuquay sat down for an exclusive, no-holds barred interview Tuesday in which he addresses a number of burning issues including his alleged business dealings with Lebanese businesses, misconceptions about the lower house and undertaking the biggest gamble of his political life, abandoning his powerful position of speaker for a shot at the vice presidency.   

FRONTPAGEAFRICA/LBS: This is your first interview since your selection as Vice Presidential Running mate to Ambassador Joseph Boakai. How do you feel about your selection?

SPEAKER EMMANUEL NUQUAY: As I said on the night of the announcement, as a young man, I come to this bearing in mind that I am indeed on a mission to prove perceptions about young people wrong. ‘There’s this perception that young people are not patient, that they are not organized, they are inexperience, they are desperate. We certainly want to disprove those. We want to conduct ourselves in a way, manner and form, that the Liberian people will be convinced – in the end that indeed young people can be reliable and dependable partners in the development of our republic.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: The process was indeed rigorous, it was a long haul, given the fact that one of the leading contenders, Ambassador was the last to pick his running mate. Did you see this coming?

NUQUAY: Not at all, I didn’t see this coming. And I often ask young people and those who ask me this question and as you can see, I have printed all of my campaign materials in China, I even have some which I can display to you. These are caps I had printed, T-Shirts that I printed, bags also that I printed, as you can see. I did all my printing materials. So, I never thought about becoming a running mate but when it came and then elders prevailed on me, it dawned on me that I could not single-handedly make myself to succeed as speaker in the 54th, I needed to rally the support of political allies and if those individuals were asking me to move on then I needed to consider their requests more.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: Was it a difficult decision to make to move on.

NUQUAY: Certainly, it was a difficult decision when you take into consideration the wrangling for power; when you take into consideration the enormous difficulties it would take to get adjusted. I came from being a  representative on the floor to getting elected on a white ballot and I’ve been speaker for nine months, then being requested to be a running mate on the ticket of the forerunner of the campaign for the presidency of our republic that’s a huge transition  and to make such a decision it was extremely difficult because firstly we form a team here in the House of Representatives so that selectively we support one another in the field to get re-elected and to have the opportunity to provide leadership for a full term.

What we are providing is leadership for one year, three months. Our entire anticipation was let’s work together, build a leadership team, get re-elected, come and have the opportunity to serve the Liberian people at level of speaker for six years.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: Your earlier comments that it was difficult to accept doesn’t jive with rumours in the public that you paid huge sums of money to get this slot? In fact, a Senator from Nimba County (Senator Thomas Grupee, NUDP) alleged recently that you paid US$2 million to Ambassador Boakai for the slot. Are there any truths to this?

NUQUAY: This is laughable and regrettable. Firstly, as I’ve shown you, I never anticipated this. I built a team, we worked together, we printed all of our campaign materials, we have containers in the port as we speak, we clear a container of motorcycles few weeks ago, we’re working as a team here, we did not anticipate this. If we had interest in this, I wouldn’t have printed campaign materials in China, I wouldn’t have done that. But this is politics and this is what people do.

And this is the reason why people shy away from politics people will want to smear their good character. What is being done is regrettable because I see it as a classic disrespect to a selfless and dedicated public servant who has served diligently for more than 35 years, a very humble and immaculate father of our land, one who has lived an exemplary life for many young people to emulate, he has been tested, many, many times.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: But when you have a sitting Senator making such accusations where do you think it is coming from?

NUQUAY: I don’t know. I cannot explain where it is coming from but all I can say is that it is regrettable in terms of the person who is being mentioned. Ambassador Joseph Nyumah Boakai has never lived such life, he has been tested, he has been proven, it has been established that he is indeed corruption free.

This is why the whole country is gravitating toward him. Why do you think the whole country is gravitating toward him? Because he has been seen as a selfless and dedicated public servant. One who prioritizes the interest of the country above his personal interests. If he was someone who goes for such things he would have picked his running mate long since. But he submitted the process to prayers. So, someone who is seeking for bribes will do that?

They will not do that. And even to elevate him to that level, I certainly think it is an insult to Ambassador Boakai, a father, a great leader, a leader that the whole country is proud of, a leader that is now seen as the rallying point who has been endorsed everywhere in almost all of the country and I feel strongly that is an insult to him. This should not have no place in our country.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: Mr. Speaker, let’s look at what you bring to the table. There’s been a lot of debates about whether you can deliver Margibi and the Bassa belt for the vice president. For those who do not know you, what can you bring to the table for the Vice President? Secondly, there’s been some tension with you and Ben Fofanna in the Margibi area, would that escalate to the point where you think it would affect the VP?

NUQUAY: Well, I certainly bring a lot to the table. I bring teamwork, I bring team spirit, I bring results to the table in terms of getting the job done. I bring that charisma to the table that I can get the job done. In my county I’ve been able to get things done, I’ve been able to build leadership teams. I’ve been able to work with people to ensure that we promote the leadership of the county. I understand that one or two persons will have problems with me, it’s because my political decisions have not favored some of them and they will always go into the county and try to get back at me. That is understandable, this is politics.

As honorable Zayzay says, nobody scores hundred in politics. We will have our own little problems here and there but politics being the game of majority rule, we can rally the majority, I’ve demonstrated that in my county.

Besides my county, I’ve been able to rally leaders in the central region and beyond, in the central region first with Senator Yallah, with Senator Woyee, Representative George Mulbah, Rep. Tokpah Mulbah – all of those people are leaders that we get along with very well. At the national level, the House of Representatives, I’ve been able to establish a team at the legislature that has been able to stabilize the house. So if we can stabilize this house, we can stabilize this country, that’s what we bring to the table.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: One issue that has been in the news over the last seven days is this recording that surfaced which portrays you as an angry man, as a man who hates people, who has this vendetta against people, who is willing to go all out to go after people. What was your impression of the tape recording and where was it done?

NUQUAY: Basically, let me establish that contrary to what was heard in the public that after I was nominated I felt that I had authority or that I was on the verge of becoming vice president and I would use my power to go after people. In fact as it is I would have no power after the election.

The speakership is more powerful than vice presidency, I mean I can say that. That is not true. I have not spoken to the media as I am doing now since I was nominated. The only time I spoke to a media person was when I got nominated at the SKD Sports Complex and I was asked about the process. That was all. This is the first time I am having a major interaction with the media. So, I did not make such statement after being nominated by VP Boakai.

The fact is that recording was done sometime last year or year before last, I cannot really recall the particular event. But what is the background? We need to understand the background and in this country sometimes people do not address issues when those issues are raised but they want to capitalize on maybe something they can portray negatively because of politics. 

What was the major issue that was raised in that recording? In my district, I’ve been able to work to establish myself as a dominant political force in my district, to the extent that I’ve been able to rally forces to produce leaders at the county level and as such there are people who harbor political ambitions at the level of the district in order to be representatives, we welcome that, we appreciate them, I mean that’s their constitutional right but the political contest should be on the basis of ideas and what you bring to the table. It should not be on the basis of rudeness, it should not result to insults to parents, family members – and this is what we frown on.

And we thought to advise the young people to say, look, you cannot come to the political contest relying on violence, relying on rudeness, insults to my parents, my family members. We thought to advise them and say look, when you do these things you will have a price to pay in the future. No matter how long it takes, these records will haunt you. That’s what we try to portray. Today, as we speak, I’m not in the contest anymore.

There are some of them who been wanting to come to me, how do they come to me? That’s the price they have to pay now because they were rude, they were disrespectful, they cannot get my blessing, so they have a price to pay.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: What do you say then to people who say that this could just portray a picture of non-tolerance and you are in a bigger contest now, what do you say to that?

NUQUAY: The way I see it, it gives me a very good political message. I said something, someone tried to portray it differently to besmear my character and present me negatively in the eyes of the public. I could turn it around. You know how I turn it around. I could take the recording and I’m going to organize big political rallies. Everybody knows me, everybody knows me in my region to be humble, to be a very humble and compassionate man and above all to be a man of development.

People honor and appreciate me for development, they know me for that. So, if you portray me as being someone who will witch hunt people then they really don’t know me. So, I will take that recording and address a big rally and say, these are people who want power, they portray me as someone who is going to hunt you.

Look at my life, look at what I have done for you. Look at my life, compare what they say about me and the life that I have lived, you know me. But again, my advice to people will be, look, don’t go for them because in essence, I am saying that our politics should not be politics of violence, our politics should not be politics of disrespect. They want to introduce violence into the body politics of our country, don’t’ go for them, go with me because I frown on, they want to encourage.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: In case you go on to win, as vice president, would you consider civil liberties?

NUQUAY: Certainly, I’m very tolerant, politically, I have thick skin. Let me say this to you, people don’t know me. In 2005, when I contested, there’s a town called Bapolu, they voted for me overwhelmingly. I built for them a youth center, equipped it with DSTV and then I took the President there in 2011. In 2011 because one of their sons was in the race. I’m now a son from that region, they voted against me overwhelmingly. Sometime around 2014, 2015, they asked me for a meeting, they wanted to come and see me, I told them, I will come to you, I went to Bopolu, they presented their plight to me.

The principal issue they wanted to address to me was that the public school was now taken over by the government, it was being used by the SRC before but the government took it over, there were volunteer teachers, they wanted their children to go to school, their teachers were leaving because nobody was there to pay attention to the volunteer teachers, to pay US$500 monthly and that they wanted to work with me.

They made some mistakes, but they realize their mistakes. I accepted, today’s date, ask the county education officer, he can verify that, I pay on a monthly basis, US$500 to the people of Bapolu to keep the public school open. If I was a man of vengeance, I would have never done that.

I say this to you, 2005 when I contested as a representative, I declared my intention somehow late by then one Professor Sonii, one representative candidate had gone to Margibi, he had built relationship with the people in an area called Gibi District, he made a relationship with the people, the people committed themselves to him. In 2005, they did not vote for me they voted for Professor Sonii, after elections, I went there and did some development for them. 

In 2011, I anticipated they were going to support me, again, one Charles Bennie, who is a son of Gibi got in the race. On that basis because he was their son, they voted for him overwhelmingly. I accepted their decision. I went back there, I built fresh toilet system for them, I built women resource center and did all the development for them.

I kept engaged with them to the extent that this 2017, they stopped all of their children from running and told them that this time we have to support, Honorable Nuquay because he is a man of courage, he is a man of perseverance, he is a man of tolerance, let’s support him.  So, last night we climaxed a meeting, the opinion leaders we had a meeting last night, they agreed that whoever I nominate, they will support that person. So, whatever people try to portray from the tape recording, it is contrary to the life that I have lived. So, it gives me a good campaign.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: Mr. Speaker, when you took over this position, you spoke about image building and rebranding of the lower house of the national legislature. The perception out there is that the lower house and the Senate passed some bad concessions which you alluded to when you took over, that they are corrupt, the take brown envelopes and all that perception is there and the VP taking you, as the head of this perceived corrupt body, how do you convince the Liberian people that you are not what the public sees in this lower house.

NUQUAY: I think we’ve been able to demonstrate that, the way we have been able to work in the house, since we took over. We’ve been able to project a positive image of the House of Representatives so that people see that we can provide leadership and the way we’ve been able to present our leadership agenda to the Liberian people can also convince them that whatever is on the agenda that Ambassador Boakai has we’ve got to give him support, as VP and as running mate, we have to be able to give him support.

We have no agenda of our own but we are there to support him. So, I’m not the head of the ticket as you know. He is the head of the ticket. I’m just there to give support. In terms of what we’ve been able to do here – all of the perceptions, yes, there will always be this perception, but we need to endeavour to reach out and work with everyone, especially the people in the media.

That’s why we talk about media partnership because we realize that the media was detached from the leadership. Things we do here was not being communicated to our people so we felt there was a need for media partnership.

If we work with you, we report the good things and the bad things there will be a balance and we think by doing that going forward whoever comes after me, we should be able to do that. All of us, this is in the collectively interests of our country. We work together in the interest of our country, we are not perfect. We’re going to do some things that will be consider as wrong by you or other people will see those things as right but this is the situation. Sometimes you see it one way but someone else might not see that.

People talk about the Farmington Hotel and other issues, meaning that it’s a bad law. This is the situation, a group of business people, this is the first in the history of our country, went as far as Robertsfield highway and built a hotel resort, how many ordinary Liberian will go there for business?

Even those who come to Liberia for business, how many of them would want to live at that hotel and be able to transport themselves to come back here. Even as we speak, my information is that those workers who started working at the hotel, forty more have been laid off because of bad business. So when we do these things we do them in the interest of our people.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: And that information is true?

NUQUAY: It’s true. You can go there and find out, it’s true.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: Mr. Speaker, one issue relating to the Farmington Hotel is the issue of your alleged business ties. There’s this perception that you are in bed with the Lebanese people particularly the George Abi Jaoudi family and that they influenced you to pass that bill in the house, and there’s this talk that when you become vice president it would only continue the trend of Lebanese people or one Lebanese  family dominating the local economy.  What guarantee is there that once you are elected, business will be opened to everybody and not just one family or one group of people?

NUQUAY: First of all, let me establish that I’m not engaged in any business anywhere or at no point in time have I ever been engaged in a business venture with any Lebanese; I have never been engaged with any business with a Lebanese either here in Liberia – or in any part of this world.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: You don’t’ have ties with anyone?

NUQUAY: I don’t have ties with anyone, you can verify that I have no such business ties with any Lebanese. Besides, when you talk about government, government is collectively, it’s not just one branch. You have the Executive, you have the Legislative and you have the judiciary.

As Speaker, I have no authority by myself to just run legislation through the House of Representatives. There are opposition lawmakers who participate in the process of legislating laws. So, it’s not a one-man show. So to create the impression that someone who is vice president who is not debating on the floor, who is not part of the Cabinet discussions to vet the people that are coming here would be so powerful that you will give Lebanese and foreigners business? No!, that’s not how the government works.

I mean, this is what we pray for so that the interest of our people can be prioritized, we are here to ensure that in the interests of our people we will make it as much as possible to become a middle-income country to help to improve the lives of our people to make them to be independent, that’s what we pray for, that’s what we strive for and Ambassador Boakai has given us that message: Let’s think Liberia, Let’s Love Liberia, Let’s Build Liberia and that’s the rallying point for all Liberians now, I think we should maintain our focus, let us not be apprehensive, let us not be skeptical, let us not raise issues that are not in the thinking of the leader on this ticket.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: Mr. Speaker, when did you know that you were the pick? I ask because there was a lot of uncertainty, a lot of waiting games regarding who the vice president was going to choose as his running mate. There were a lot of names out there. When did you know, because people are feeling that you knew all along and you did not tell anyone? Especially in the wake of the recording when you said October 11, which is the day after the elections. When did you actually know?

NUQUAY: This is what happened. Initially, there were friends who came to me and said you know the media was speculating and on the basis that my leadership team came to me and forewarned me that, we don’t want you to be a part of this. We have built our leadership team here, we are sure of the future. We can work and retain the leadership, it there’s such a thinking, please disengage and as such, one or two persons talked to me out-rightly I said, no! But closed to, between the seventh and the tenth, there were people who came and said, look, we think you should reconsider.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: So, it only started happening this month?

NUQUAY: Certainly, certainly! Even some of those able lieutenants who came and said don’t’ engage, they came and said look, if this happens, please accept. After they came to me I said well I’m not asking for anything. Since you are the ones that will make me to succeed, in the event when I’m nominated I should accept, I will accept, if you say I should remain then I know you will not be the one to come 2018 and haunt me out of here. So, you have it, if the decision is made, I will accept, if it is not made, I would remain. And that was my last statement to them and we waited until that day we were called, that fateful morning when I was called.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: Mr. Speaker, our correspondent in Bong and Margibi Counties spoke to a couple who drove from Firestone to last weekend’s rally in Margibi who said they were still on the fence, since your name came up as the running mate. If you were to speak to the Liberian people in one or two sentences, what would you tell them to convince them to jump off the fence and into you and the VP’s corner?

NUQUAY: First, two things. Nuquay is a man of team spirit. He builds a team to get the job done, two, Nuquay is a man of development. I have been able to do development that surpasses any development that any leader in our country has done. My county honors me for that, my county knows that I’m a team leader, I believe in building a leadership team and as such anybody who wants a leadership, because a leadership team will critically analyse issues before they take action. Nobody wants a leadership that will be autocratic, you want a leadership that will consult widely, will take into consideration the interest of the people.

So, anybody who wants to elect a leadership for country, will take into consideration, that someone who builds a leadership team, will help to build a leadership team for the country that will comprise of people from all walks of life in our country, whether you are from Maryland, whether you are from Grand Gedeh, whether you are from Nimba, whether you are from Cape Mount, wherever you come from or your interest, you will be part of the leadership team, it will be all inclusive, this is what our people long for, the process of inclusion, the governance of inclusion, people want to be a part of the process. How do we negotiate? How do we bring the interest of other people on the table, so they see themselves as part of the process?

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: So, you are saying that you frown on any negative, or encouragement of tribal politics in this campaign?

NUQUAY:  But we have said this. Maybe, you alluded to a statement by Senator Henry Yallah. What I think Senator Yallah was projecting to the people in the central region – in the book, Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe said when things fall apart it means the center cannot hold. If you want to unify this country, the central region, we believe is the beginning point. If we rally that region, you would have gone more than sixty, seventy percent in unifying this country.

And that’s what Yallah was trying to project. It’s not that…there’s no way, absolutely no way that one group of people can provide leadership, there’s no way and it would be farfetched for anybody to think that way. But what you do is to rally your people. Let’s partner, let’s go along with others because you’re not going to be safe, you’re not going to be protected – if you think you can do it on your own – and this is where team leadership comes, building a leadership team that incorporates the interests of all. And this is what we stand for.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: Any final word, thoughts about something we may have left out?

NUQUAY: We just want to reassure the people of Liberia in the wake of all of the … or some of the negative comments that they have heard, this young man is a dependable young man, this young man is a progressive young man, this young man is a man of team spirit, he’s a man of dedication, he’s a visionary leader. He believes that everyone should be incorporated, everyone should have an opportunity to contribute their quota.

This is about the country, we’re not talking about leadership of the community, we’re talking about leadership of the country.  We’ve gone through war, when people are deprived, their voices cannot be heard, then they resort to violence, that’s what I was even alluding to in that tape, that we don’t want violence, we don’t want rudeness, let’s be civil, let’s put our issues on the table, and that’s what we want to do, give everyone the opportunity to be heard.

So, that we dialogue. Everyone not going to get what they want at the same time but through dialogue you can narrow down the differences and assure people that they have a future and that’s what we stand for and we want the Liberian people to believe in us. The good thing I’m happy about also is that, nobody has been able to raise any issue with respect to particular things that I have done in my district, in serving my people that will corroborate with the tape recording they playing; but on the contrary, we have done things to prove them on the contrary.

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: What happens to you after this election? You are taking a major risk. Leaving your speakership and your representative job to become VP. If things don’t’ go the way you want it to go, what happens to you?

NUQUAY: I’m a child of God! Whatever future God destines for me is what I will face. So, I have no fear, I have no fear. After this election, I’m not going to be speaker, if I’m not vice president, that’s the future God has for me. I believe in my God, I’m a child of God.

I’m a son of a Presbyterian pastor – all I do is pray and read my bible. I believe in my God. I know that my God said to me, that look, I will never leave you, I will never forsake you. He promised that look, come what may, my plans are good for you. My plans are to make you to be prosperous, my plans are to give you a future. So, I know that my God will not lie to me, he will give me a future, he will make me to be prosperous, I believe in my God, whatever happen is the will of God.

Kakata, Margibi County – While much attention and talks are being focused on the nomination of Speaker Emmanuel Nuquay as vice running mate to the ruling Unity Party’s presidential candidate, Joseph Boakai, the political party of the Speaker is thinking even bigger, looking at the recent nomination as the beginning of big things to come.

Report by Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com 

Speaker Nuquay, who is the lawmaker of district #5 in Margibi County, beat the odds and proved bookmakers wrong with his surprise pronouncement by Vice President Boakai after many had predicted a Nimba, Grand Bassa or South eastern vice running mate.

In Speaker Nuquay, the dynamics in Liberian politics looks to be changing, his relatively young age of 48 is appealing to a large number of people within the young generation that are preaching the politics of generational change.

On a ticket with 72-year-old Boakai and 48-year-old Speaker Nuquay, the young generation believes that when the ticket is successful to take state power, it is highly likely that a 54-year old Nuquay could succeed aging VP Boakai in six years, becoming that start point of new breed of leaders.

“If the Vice President wins this election I strongly believe that Speaker Nuquay could become the next President of Liberia because the age of the vice president might not permit him to contest for two terms,” Sheick Sheriff, a resident of Gbarnga told FrontPageAfrica Thursday.

“I want to say something but I am afraid. Our longstanding desire we have had as leaders of the central region is one step closer by the nomination of our own son Speaker Nuquay.

“I will not mince my words on this. The message must go to our brothers and sisters in Liberia.”

“We the Kpelle people have to make use of our population and this is the time. With Speaker Nuquay as a vice running mate to VP Boakai, I can tell you that the Kpelle are closer to the presidency” – Senator Yallah (Bong County)

According to political pundit Weah Sondah of Gbarnga, this permutation could woo a good number of young Liberians of the intellectual class to the Boakai-Nuquay pairing comparing the tender age of Speaker Nuquay with other vice running mates to other presidential candidates.

“Nuquay’s age could appeal to many young people and that might give him the advantage if he decides to contest after VP Boakai,” he added.

In Nuquay the young generation will be hopeful that it is their time to bring freshness to Liberian politics and leadership.

PUP’s political master plan

While many preaching the generational politics could be persuaded into pushing Speaker Nuquay for the needed change, his political party, the People’s Unification Party has another political master plan.

The PUP was founded in March 2013 by Speaker Nuquay and 12 other lawmakers from Bong and Margibi Counties with an aim of producing a “Kpelle President”, according to Senator Henry Yallah, a founding member of the party.

With the nomination of Nuquay, the PUP now seems to be putting in place a political master plan that will see the party take state power in 2024.

The party has now started the rallying of the support of the vote-rich central region, Bong, Nimba and Margibi counties which, according to Sen. Yallah, is a good plan for the party as people from these central region counties are spread in good numbers across the remaining counties.

The PUP has already pledged its support to the presidency of VP Boakai but officials of the party have maintained that the party has not formed a merger with the Unity Party, therefore the PUP maintains its independence as a political party with its support only targeted at electing VP Boakai to the Presidency.

How the PUP and the Unity Party will further cement their relationship after the 2017 election will be another interesting political development.

A senior official of the PUP, Senator Yallah had always expressed the hope that the Kpelle tribe, the largest in the country according to a 2008 census result, will translate its numbers into votes in future presidential elections.

Speaking Friday at the unveiling ceremony of Nuquay by Boakai in Kakata, Yallah reiterated the party’s desire of producing a president of Liberia.

He described Speaker Nuquay’s nomination as vice running mate to Boakai as the closest step the Kpelle people have towards the Liberian presidency.

“I want to say something but I am afraid. Our longstanding desire we have had as leaders of the central region is one step closer by the nomination of our own son Nuquay,” Senator Yallah added.

No mincing words

Senator Yallah said gone are the days when the Kpelle speaking people fought to produce presidents at the advantage of those from smaller tribes.

“I will not mince my words on this. The message must go to our brothers and sisters in Liberia.”

“We th Kpelle people have to make use of our population and this is the time.

“With Nuquay as a vice running mate to Boakai, I can tell you that the Kpelle are closer to the presidency,” Senator Yallah added.

“We the Kpelle people have seen as political elephant meat in the country. Our votes have been loose, no boundary.

The Boakai-Nuquay ticket is beyond Margibi and Bong Counties; is beyond Speaker Nuquay. It is about you my compatriots. Let’s shine our eyes for the future.”

Nuquay applauds Yallah Boldness

Speaker Nuquay, meanwhile, lauded Senator Yallah for his bold comments and urged citizens of Margibi County to unite in ensuring that the Boakai-Nuquay ticket becomes victorious.

He said the Boakai-Nuquay ticket will lift Liberians to prosperity, adding that the ticket will build roads and ensure that the rest of the country is not cut off when rainy season comes.

“This is the ticket that will distribute electricity everywhere in this country.”

“This is the ticket that will provide education and empowerment for the young people of our country. This is the ticket that will build our country,” he added.

The Speaker said the formulation of the PUP was intended to rebirth the ideology of former Bong County superintendent Gabriel William Kpolleh when he founded the defunct Liberia Unification Party.

Speaker Nuquay said though Kpolleh’s dreams of uniting the people of the central region didn’t materialize; the PUP now has the best chance to make that dream a reality.

Speaker Nuquay used the occasion to appeal to whomsoever he may have hurt to forgive him so that they can form a team that will lift Liberia.

“It is time to forgive and forget. Let’s unite for change.”

He described his selection as the best moment that should unite the people of the central region rather than creating confusion.

“There will be no reason or excuse if we don’t succeed on this mission. This is our time, this is our moment,” he added.

“This mission is our life, is about our future. Join the team and let’s make this mission a dream for everyone of us.”

Nuquay used Friday’s program to dismiss rumors that Speaker Nuquay has been an influential member of the Margibi County legislative caucus since he became representative of district #5 in 2005.

Early but Possible

The PUP’s dream of taking state power through Nuquay sounds early but looks political possible given the recent trend in Liberian politics where even members of intellectual class are preaching a new revolution of minority vs majority.

The talk of congau vs natives has resounded so well that it is pushing more endorsements of the presidential bid of Vice President Boakai coupled with the naming of a Kpelle as his running mate, the support for Boakai has swollen in recent days.