Monrovia –  Appearing on The Costa Show, Monday, December 18, Vice President Joseph Boakai couldn’t hold back, when quizzed about the performance of Senator George Weah in the Senate.

Responding, Vice President Boakai said he has never seen the Coalition for Democratic Change’s (CDC) standard bearer raise his hand in plenary, put forth any issue for debate or a bill for the past three years. 

“The fact is from the time I have been presiding over the Senate, it is expected that a Senator speaks to the matter on the floor.”

“Unfortunately, Mr. Weah has not had the desire to speak and I’m sure he’s probably might be making up his mind to speak,” Vice President Boakai said.

VP Boakai, who is the Unity Party standard bearer, further stated that over the past three years while presiding over the Senate, Senator Weah has not mustered the courage to speak in plenary. 

“Three years have gone; he might speak one day. He has not raised his hand to say anything; I’m not lying,” VP Boakai said.

The Vice President’s comment about Senator Weah became a trending discussion on social media on Monday; with those supporting Senator Weah kicking against what the VP, who is the President of the Senate, had said.

The VP supporters, on the other hand, have been running with their standard bearer’s comments in order to score political points against their CDC’s opponents.

On whether, he (VP Boakai) would be willing to appear at a debate between him and Weah, he said: “I went against three when I just knew about the debate a day before, why shouldn’t I be ready to go against Senator Weah.”

He maintained that he and his rival Presidential candidate need to explain their plans to the Liberian people of what each intends to do if elected.

“We need to tell Liberians what we have got to offer; Liberians have a saying that you cannot buy a pick in bag. We should be able to tell Liberians what we can do,” Boakai stressed.        

The Costa Show’s lead host, Henry Pedro Costa, a known critic of Mr. Weah’s bid to become President, posted this on his Facebook page a few hours after he had hosted VP Boakai in his studio: “I see Cdcians running around on Facebook defending their empty-headed dummy Weah, who was severely spanked by incoming President Joseph Boakai this morning. It is hurting them bad way.

They really wish their buffoon could express himself with logic as JNB effortlessly does. Hahaha…

The picture below was taken years ago when Weah was being inducted into the Liberian Senate. Just so you know, Senators don’t leave their seats to mount the podium to make a point in session.

Yes, JNB was correct when he said that all the times when he presided over Senate sessions, Weah never raised his hand, not once, to address an issue. Let’s reject the dummy. I double dare Weah to appear on his own radio station and explain his platform if he has any, as JNB eloquently did this morning on The Costa Show.”

But an avid Weah supporter, Wilmot F. Smith, too, posted to counter Costa’s claim: “Was Senator Weah inducted twice in the Liberian Senate?

Did he dress twice on his induction day? The Unity Party needs revival. No party takes pleasure in telling lies about Sen George Weah than the failed Unity Party.”

A few hours after his studio appearance, the Unity Party standard bearer’s comment did not go unnoticed.

Speaking on his campaign trail in Ganta City, Nimba County, the CDC standard bearer reacted sharply to the UP standard bearer’s comment about his performance saying that when he spoke Vice President Boakai was always sleeping and so didn’t pick up what he (Weah) had said.

Being sarcastic further, Senator Weah said that Vice President Boakai was sleeping at the time he raised his hand in plenary.

“Boakai said in the Senate, he has not seen me put my hand up, but I say to Boakai every time I put my hand up, he can be sleeping, when I stood in the Senate and said Liberians’ taxes must be cut, Boakai was sleeping, when we argued that [the price of] rice was up, when we put our hands up Boakai was sleeping,” Senator Weah added.

Weah continued: “We were talking about rice price to be low but Boakai refused because Boakai is also selling rice.

“All the bad laws against you, Boakai, as the President of the Senate, signed all those documents. During the Ebola when I said that schools should not be opened because parents didn’t have money to send their children back to school, Boakai was sleeping.”

Weah said the Unity Party and Vice President Boakai didn’t deliver anything good for the Liberian people for the last 12 years.

“Joseph Boakai and the Unity Party-led government did not do anything good for you; we gave them 12 years and they have done nothing,” Weah, who is a football icon on the African Continent, stressed.

Weah only found time to respond to his rival’s comment about him not performing in the Senate but didn’t say anything about whether he would avail himself for the debate.

In time past, Senator Weah has always found excuse not to partake in any of the Presidential debates that have been organized for the contestants in the Presidential race.

According to the debate organizers, Mr. Weah won’t give any excuse but would deliberately abscond from the process only for his supporters to defend his absence, with some saying: “That debate will put food on ordinary Liberian’s table?”

Monrovia – They started up as two friends from their days in grade school at the College of West Africa (CWA) back in the days. Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her Vice President, Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, were friends even after high school.

Report By Henry Karmo, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

They maintained their friendship even in the Diaspora until 2005 when they decided and agreed to run for the country’s highest offices – President and Vice President – respectively. Even as President and Vice President, they remained best of friends until 2017.

Sometime after the first quarter of 2017, rumours and speculations became to circulate that the two ‘best friends’ had become enemies to the extent of keeping speech from each other when he (VP Boakai) declared that he wanted to succeed his boss, who, by the Liberian Constitution, can’t contest again for Office, as her second and final Presidential term comes to an end by mid January 2018.

To many, the so-called “bad blood” between the two best friends was/is because of the friends they have made and the kind of people they have associated with during their tenures as President and Vice President, respectively.

For the first time, both the President and the Vice President did not attend one another birthday parties — showing the extent to which both leaders’ relation had gotten sour.

The Costa Show & 1st 150-Day Deliverables

On a local morning radio talk-show, “The Costa Show,” VP Joseph Boakai, on Monday, December 18, made it clear that his association with Cllr. Varney Sherman and Unity Party Chairman Wilmot Paye has soured his relationship with his long-time best friend, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

“I am guilty by association, that is the only crime I have committed against my long-time friend Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. My association with Cllr. Sherman and Party Chairman Wilmot Paye, who won the chairmanship on white ballot is the only crime I have committed.”

The Unity Party standard bearer, who is expected to face up with Montserrado County Senator George M. Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) in the second round of the October 10, 2017 polls, promised to provide 50 thousand jobs in his first 150 days as President of Liberia when elected.

He said, his vision and plan to build roads across the country will help provide Jobs and create wealth.

VP Boakai believes if the country is connected by roads, people especially local farmers will have the means to bring their crops and produce to the market and they will get empowered.

Corruption

The Unity Party government under Madam President, has been heavily criticized for doing nothing or very little in the fight against corruption.

Some Liberians believe that this administration under the leadership Madam Sirleaf and VP Boakai is the most corrupt.

To others, this government’s efforts to step up the fight against the maniac, is why the song of corruption is being sung the way it is now by most Liberians and their international friends.

As President, the Unity Party’s standard bearer, has promised to fight corruption to his best.

He described it as a poison that makes people in authority to want to use government to provide for them and their unborn generations.

“You want to be corrupt go elsewhere; it won’t happen under my watch,” he warned as he threatened stern actions.

National Elections Commission

Like many critics of the National Elections Commission (NEC),  VP Boakai, too, believes the Final Voter Roll (FRR) needs to be clean up. 

“This voter registration thing is fraudulent. It was done so by Mr. (Jerome) Korkoya. Let’s give this election process a chance,” he stressed.

Same-sex Marriage

Responding to questions about same-sex marriage, the Unity Party standard bearer, who is poised like Senator George Weah, to become Liberia’s next President, said the Liberian culture doesn’t permit such practice.

“In the Bible, we read God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve,” he said rhetorically taking a jibe on those promoting same-sex marriage.

The VP urged Liberia’s international partners, who are desirous of tying aid to governments legalizing the practice in their countries, to change that policy of theirs.

He called on them to allow Liberia and Liberians the chance to live and respect their culture. 

Monrovia – Unity Party Standard Bearer Joseph Boakai has for the first time announced his intention to serve a one-term bid if elected President in the ensuing runoff election.

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

“As the campaign unfolds over the next several days, the critical question that stares us in the face is, ‘what kind of Liberia do we want for our people.’ 

“Let us ask the critical question, who can best work with them to better deliver a country that meets their needs and general aspirations? 

“Our quest to provide leadership in the next six years is about you–the people. “

“Let us now go forth, bearing in mind that this is about country and not self. We offer to be your servant and not your master. 

“I, Joseph Nyumah Boakai, make a solemn pledge to serve only one term of six years with humility and love,” Veep Boakai said. 

VP Boakai is anticipating succeeding his boss President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, whose two-term tenure will expire early January, 2018. 

His statement is similar to Pres. Sirleaf’s pronouncement in 2005, when she made a campaign statement, promising, too, to go for only a six-year term. 

Sirleaf, however, did not live up to her word. She would later stand as a “formidable force,” in the 2011 Presidential and Legislative Election, which she won ahead of Cllr. Winston Tubman, who was the standard bearer of the Congress for Democratic Change now Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). 

But the Liberian Vice President who is eying the presidency said his pronouncement for a one-term bid is a reality because many Liberians are now eager to see a country associated with good governance in ensuring accountability, transparency, social justice as well as exposing corruption and defeating corruption. 

“We will be victorious because we bring all that it takes to provide sound leadership–maturity, humility, experience, level-headedness, and vision. We bring to this table the experience of untainted years of public service and tested leadership. 

“Many Liberians want a country that will be associated with good governance.”

“They yearn for a leader, who will govern well to ensure accountability, transparency, social justice, expose and defeat corruption, promote equity and provide opportunities and the wise use of our resources. 

“They demand a leader that can productively engage the world for the good of our people and the image of our country,” VP Boakai noted. 

The Unity Party Standard Bearer believed the vote of Liberians can be used as a key to unlocking the opportunities and transforming in Liberia. 

These demands and expectations for better road connectivity and infrastructure, improved health care, education, increased food production, electricity, water and decent employment, according to the UP Standard Bearer, cannot be overemphasized. 

“When you elect Joe Boakai, we will provide those opportunities to transform your lives.

We will work with all Liberians to fulfill their dreams for a better country; a country where corruption will not define governance and where infrastructure development and a sound economy largely controlled by Liberians will be a hallmark of our leadership,” VP Boakai noted. 

However, he stressed the importance of encouraging a government of inclusion that will bring on board citizens who are capable of positively contributing to Liberia, in spite of political, ethnic or religious background. 

In a major press conference held at the Unity Party’s headquarters in Monrovia, Thursday, December 14, he stated that these will not be achieved if partisans of UP refuse to embark on a vigorous campaign to ensure final victory in the upcoming runoff. 

At the same time, VP Boakai called for the total support of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the runoff process. 

VP Boakai, who is ending his tenure as Liberia Vice President, said the support of the party’s standard bearer emeritus – President Sirleaf – is important in forging unity within the party and accomplishing a mission to safe Liberia. 

According to him, President Sirleaf’s involvement in cementing a political relationship among her partisans will skip their bitter past. 

“I therefore call on all Unity Party partisans and all those, who have felt alienated to come together and heed the clarion call to unite behind this noble mission to save our country.”

The VP, who described the President as his ‘sister,’ called on her to continually play her leadership role and help to strengthen his hands in forging unity within their great Party and nation. 

Though according to him, the Unity Party, like many giant political parties across the world, have had some challenges and internal disagreements, but the need to show respect to partisans as well as party’s officials, be it past or present. 

VP Boakai wants more focus to be placed on unison in the party than dwelling on division.

He reminded them that mutual respect and unity for various Partisans will create deep and abiding love for Liberia and the preservation of peace, stability, and development of the country. 

VP Boakai said: “I wish to admonish all UP partisans, our collaborators and well-wishers to continue to exercise deference and to accord due courtesies and respect to party and national leaders, especially our Standard Bearer Emeritus, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.” 

He said the UP quest to celebrate a respect for the rule of law, void of violence was a commitment not only to win the elections but to ensure that every electorate’s votes are counted. 

VP Boakai lauded President Sirleaf for championing the cause for the upholding of rule of law, tolerance and national harmony, a foundation according to him had been laid during her 12 years tenure. 

This cause according to him has resulted too many individuals hoping from party to party without loyalty to anyone or commitment to country but with false promises of jobs.

“Strangely, some are even advocating that education or training for our children does not matter. To them the only important thing is grabbing power. 

For me it is not therefore simply about becoming president. This is bigger than the victory of a party.

It is about the victory of the Liberian people and the future of our Republic. 

It is about saving Liberia from falling back into that abyss. I therefore call on all Liberians, no matter your party affiliation, to set aside our differences and put country above self,” VP Boakai asserted. 

The Liberian Vice President who is vying to replace President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, also raised concern over electorates who have become first time voters during in the pending runoff ability to make positive decisions that will not allow Liberia to experience the dark past. 

Announcing the official opening of campaign for the runoff process, the UP Standard Bearer challenged partisans to vigorously campaign to ensure victory.

Monrovia – Ahead of the presidential runoff election, which will be determined today by the Supreme Court whether it will go ahead or not, the ruling Unity Party (UP) continues to receive more endorsements from partisans of other political parties.

Though senior hierarchies of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), the All Liberian Party (ALP) and the Liberty Party (LP) are yet to openly pledge their support for Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who is the Standard Bearer of UP, their supporters have come forth to say that they are going to work along with the ruling party in order to win the runoff from the Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC). 

At a fully attended program Friday, at least 65 auxiliaries, which helped the ANC to substantially get good number of votes in Montserrado County, along with their parties coordinators in the county were all present to give their support to the Vice President, who is expected to go to the runoff with Senator George Manneh Weah of CDC. 

Speaking at the ceremony, the head of all coordinators of ANC, Mr. A. Jefferson Hoff, said that though their party is presently involved in the lawsuit which the LP took to the Supreme Court against the National Elections Commission (NEC), but if the Court does give the go ahead to NEC to carry on with preparations with the runoff election, they as coordinators have told all ANC partisans that “Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai is the best way forward.” 

“We believe in Joseph Nyuma Boakai as the alternative to our political leader, Mr. Alexander B. Cummings.

The alternative is not George Weah but he is Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai,” stated Hoff, whose statement was greeted with loud political battle cries and slogans. 

Hoff, who is specifically Montserrado County District #3 coordinator, was joined in the ceremony by all the county’s coordinators and party’s executives from other counties.  

“As you can see, Your Excellencies, we stand ready to be punished by our bosses but we are ready to stand by you, to canvass day and night to win Montserrado. We are sincerely for you,” the ANC head of coordinators said as they had not been given the full green light to pledge support to any of the two political parties in the runoff. 

Another speaker, Mr. James Dunzo, Vice Chair for Governmental Affairs at the level of Montserrado County, stated that not all the senior members of the county were present, but all of them, including those not present, had concluded to support the Vice President and his running mate, Speaker James Emmanuel Nuquay.  

“Among the two in the runoff, we strongly believe that Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai has all it takes to lead Liberia at this time.” 

Also speaking, two volunteers from the 65 auxiliaries, who spoke separately vowed to go all out to canvass for votes for the Vice President.

For his part, Mr. Samuel O. Phillips, who is one of Mr. Cummings senior advisors, said that they have come to fully support his bid.

He is the founder of Crusaders for Cummings President (CCP), which helped the ANC rocked more votes. According to him, the full strength of his group is 15,000. 

The representative of the Nyonblee for Brumskine, an auxiliary of the Liberty Party, said they were pledging their support to UP because they are not ready to play gamble with their dear country. 

He stated that the future of Liberia awaits “prepared youths” and not just any youth. 

These groups were brought in through the auspices of Movement for the Presidency of Ambassador Joseph Boakai, an auxiliary group of the Unity Party.

They were represented by its head, Mr. Nohn Voker. 

For his part, Mr. Augustine Ngafuan, National Campaign Chairman of UP, said it was a great day and to some extent, it was a reunion.

“The alternative to the ANC is the Unity Party.” 

He told them that it’s not when they enter but what they are going to do in the house. 

“On behalf of the entire campaign team, we stretch our arms to you. We have already felt the vibes from your women brigade.

This is beyond Ambassador Boakai. It’s about the future of this country.” 

He told them that his standard bearer is the best suited for the post as he (VP Boakai) understands the struggles of Liberians.

“Walking from Wonsongar, Foya, being a rubber tapper in order to go to school, being a waiter at Rivoli Cinema and being a janitor, he understands our struggles.

At this point, there is no better person, who can transition this country from where it is other than he.” 

Mr. Ngafuan, who served formally as the nation Foreign Minister and Finance Minister among portfolios he held, said he was sure that working along with the group, victory is certain for Liberia and they are going to win “bigly.” 

Responding, Vice President Boakai thanked his guests for all their pledges of support and endorsements. 

The VP told the gathering how his personal friendship with Cummings, Brumskine and Urey goes many years back. 

VP Boakai disclosed: “Since the elections of October 10, we have met in this house with Alex Cummings, one on one, with [Benoni] Urey and with [Charles Walker] Brumskine. All of us have decided to put Liberia first.” 

He told the audience that it was not well for some to sit idly and say that they are not going to get involved in the politics.

“When a medical doctor makes a mistake one person dies, but when a politician makes a mistake a whole nation dies.” 

He further stated that we live in a nation that is 170 years old and rhetorically asked: “Are we where we should be? Are we satisfied with where we are?”

He admonished the group to “love, think and build Liberia.” 

“Countries are not like bananas that you can just pass onto people because they cry that it is their time.

This has to do with the lives of peoples, including their families. This is not a play play thing,” he joked. 

The Vice President urged everyone to get out and woo more supports for the runoff election if and when the Supreme Court decides that it should go ahead. 

The Court is scheduled to decide today by 10 a.m. in the case Liberty Party vs the National Elections Commission. 

Monrovia – The ruling Unity Party in Liberia today accused the sitting President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of directly interfering in the ongoing presidential and legislative elections.

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

Addressing a major news conference Sunday, Mr. Wilmot Paye, Chair of the party told a jam-packed room of reporters and international stakeholders including The Carter Center, The National Democratic Institute and others that the magnitude of the allegations of election irregularities is alarming.

Said Paye: “Before the polls—and throughout the campaigning period—we raised alarm bells about what was becoming direct interference with the electoral process by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who any reasonable mind would have thought should by now be preoccupied with allowing a genuine transitional process, the first since 1944, when Edwin James Barclay stepped down for William Tubman, although Tubman himself would later cling onto political power for nearly three decades.”

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhrzQ0QniJE&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop” width=”740″ autoplay=”yes”]

Delivering a joint statement on behalf of three major political parties – the Unity Party, All Liberian Party, and the Liberty Party, Mr. Paye said the respective Political Parties, in unequivocal terms, have been drawing the attention of Liberians and the World to several issues of anomalies about the October 10, 2017 presidential and legislative elections. 

‘Widespread, Systemic Fraud’ 

“These anomalies included widespread and systematic fraud, incompetence, inefficiencies and deliberate actions and/or inactions on the part of the National Elections Commission (NEC) that prevented thousands of Liberians from voting in the just-ended polls.

Now frustrated and angered, many of those disenfranchised have vowed not to vote in any scheduled presidential election runoff. We are appalled by this mistreatment of our people and grievous offense against our nation,” Mr. Paye said.

The UP chairman reaffirmed solidarity with the Liberty Party and all other political parties and candidates that feel offended and have strong reasons to believe that the October 10, 2017 polls were characterized by massive systematic irregularities and fraud.

He added that the parties, in furtherance of this solidarity, and considering the overwhelming evidence of fraud that continues to emerge, have resolved to pursue their matter to a logical legal conclusion as quickly as permissible under Liberian Law.

“We will leave no stones unturned in our endeavors. This will safeguard our Peace and reaffirm the purpose of our Nation,” Mr. Paye said.

Notwithstanding the legal pursuit, Mr. Paye said, the parties cannot ignore the fact that many more startling revelations continue to emerge, thus further corroborating growing allegations that massive fraud occurred during the October 10, 2017 polls.

“At first, it seemed that these were mere “irregularities” that could be corrected by simple administrative procedures and practices ahead of any presidential election runoff. Unfortunately, this is not the case.”

Raising Alarm Bells

Mr. Paye said he and others have been raising alarm bells about what was becoming direct interference with the electoral process by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who any reasonable mind would have thought should by now be preoccupied with allowing a genuine transitional process, the first since 1944, when Edwin James Barclay stepped down for William Tubman, although Tubman himself would later cling onto political power for nearly three (3) decades.

He averred: “The current trend in our electoral process is certainly not what Liberians and our International Partners had invested in so heavily and expected to see in Africa’s Oldest Republic. This is not what was expected toward the close of the stewardship of our Continent’s first ever-elected woman Head of State.”

Added Mr. Paye: “We and our Partners invested in Peace and Stability and therefore expected that a credible outcome from this year’s elections would only help to solidify Liberia’s recovery from long periods of instability. Instead, greed has resurfaced in its most callous form, sowing seeds of discord yet again with the intent of disrupting the fragile peace of Liberia. We cannot and will not tolerate this unacceptable course.”

The UP chair then called on all Liberians to rise up in order to save our greatly endowed Nation from the shackles of greed.

“Liberians and the world cannot afford yet another unwarranted period of instability.”

“We recall that in 2014 it was alarmed that there might be a grand scheme to reignite instability through manipulation of and/or interference with the 2017 electoral process.

“The discoveries of evidence of fraud being made across the country have validated that alarm.”

Mr. Paye said circumstances leading to and after the 2017 polls have proven that we were not wishful thinkers at the time.

“We knew what we were saying and why we were saying it.

Voters did not want to see an unresolved electoral process; instead, they wanted to see a conclusive process, one that would produce a credible outcome.”

Mr. Paye added that while respective political parties cannot, and do not intend to compel anyone to subscribe to their values and ideologies, they are concerned about what appears to be a ploy to veer Liberia off from the path of peace.

“None of us had the slightest thought that a president who was democratically elected twice would endeavor to create discord.”

Grateful to EJS, But…

He declared: “We are under no illusion that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has so much to be grateful for: 12 years of quiet and uninterrupted stewardship in spite of the scathing effects of corruption and waste, nepotism, poverty and selective application of justice and the rule of law. After seventeen decades as a sovereign country, this is not what Liberia and its people deserve from a President this privileged.”

The UP chair said they were aware that long before the October 10, 2017 polls, President Sirleaf had invited Election Magistrates to her residence for a meeting, which is unprecedented in election history.

“Our respective Political Parties maintain that this act clearly amounted to interference with the electoral process and has no legal basis or justification whatsoever.”

He also accused the President of making direct contact with the head of the National Elections to alter the outcome of the elections.

“The president’s conduct was an act of intimidation and inducement, especially since some commissioners of the National Elections Commission had warned Chairman Jerome Kokorya against Election Magistrates meeting President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

“. Those commissioners were correct that because there was no precedent for it anywhere, that meeting was not necessary at all.”

In fact, he added. “If the president had any legitimate “concerns” about this year’s elections, she needed to have made those concerns public and not to the magistrates, who are way below the administrative and legal institutional channels. Chairman Kokorya cannot continue to receive instructions from President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.”

Mr. Paye recalled that prior to the President’s meeting with Election Magistrates; she had met with some Commissioners of NEC and hinted that she was “interested in the outcome of the elections”. Of course, as an individual Liberian citizen she was entitled to her view of which candidate to support, canvass or vote for.”

He also raised issues about an incident regarding the printing of voter registration cards and a printing machine and other official materials of the NEC caught in the possession of Amos Siebo, a staff in President Sirleaf’s office, and numerous voter registration cards that ended up in the hands of people, who were either not eligible voters or who voted more than once throughout country.

“It has also come as a shock to realize that ballots were without serial numbers, negating any possibility of accountability—creating the space for massive fraud.”

‘Unacceptable, to say the Least’

Nineteen days since the polls ended, Paye averred, the party continues to be deeply troubled by startling revelations from across the country about acts of fraud.

“We therefore call on the United Nations, European Union, African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the United States of America to take keen note of unfolding events since October 10, 2017.

“That this is happening under a president that has benefited from two (2) democratic elections is inconceivable. Let Liberians and not President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf, decide who their next president should be. This is unacceptable, to say the least.”

He added that the views of Liberians, as expressed through their votes on October 10, 2017, which we now realize were not reflected in the announced results, cannot be taken for granted.

“The growing reports of buried ballot papers being unearthed in Grand Gedeh County and several locations across the country cannot be understated. There can be no surer or truer way to solidify our peace than through a genuine democratic process free of interference and manipulation.” 

NEC, Not Credible for Runoff

He said the National Elections Commission cannot conduct any free, fair and transparent presidential election runoff in the wake of increasing and disturbing reports of alleged massive fraud.

“There has to be a credible process in order for there to be a credible outcome. We cannot accept why and how, even with total opposition from all political parties and key actors, the National Elections Commission allowed individuals whose names did not appear on the so-called Final Registration Roll (FRR) to vote. This idea was rejected right from the onset.”

Moreover, Mr. Paye said, as many more revelations continue to emerge about individuals being caught in possession of thousands of fake voter cards, as was reported from Ganta, Nimba County on October 28, 2017 by many, the National Elections Commission headed by Chairman Jerome Kokorya and President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has lost credibility and public confidence.

“In addition to our previous reaffirmed position of solidarity, we are united in one accord in pursuing the legal course initiated by the Liberty Party and the All Liberian Party. Together, we will pursue this to a logical conclusion.”

The allegations came on the day President Sirleaf is celebrating her 79th birthday and officials are yet to respond to the allegations of interference which are likely to throw a monkey wrench in the ongoing electoral process and interrupt Liberia’s transition from war to peace.

Monrovia – A FrontPageAfrica investigation has found that contrary to widespread reports, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has been directly involved in sourcing funding for the Presidential bid of her vice President Joseph Boakai.

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

A FrontPageAfrica investigation has found that contrary to widespread reports, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has been directly involved in sourcing funding from Morocco, Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast and a host of other countries for the Presidential bid of her vice President Joseph Boakai 

The finding appears to contradict growing perceptions within the Boakai campaign that President Sirleaf has not been supportive of the Presidential bid of the man who has been by her side in the past twelve years.

Executive Mansion sources are being tight-lipped about the investigation and Presidential Press Secretary Jerolinmek Piah when contacted Thursday, could not confirm or deny when inquiries were made regarding reports that the President directly engineered aid to Boakai from several of her international connections including Morocco, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Ghana and a host of others.

The findings come amid a recent admission from Rep. Edwin Melvin Snowe, who was recently appointed as Campaign Chair of the party’s November 7 run-off activities.

Speaking Thursday on a local radio talk show, the UP campaign official acknowledged that the extra campaign process has posed serious burdens on the party and pleaded for the incumbent first partisan, Sirleaf to intervene.

While aides from both Sirleaf and Boakai campaigns continue to lay the blame on a long-running feud between the pair over the perceived lack of financial support, FrontPageAfrica has learned that some of those on the vice President’s campaign team betrayed his trust and misused thousands of dollars intended to pay poll watchers and campaign workers.

This, according to sources, was a contributing factor to the party’s standard bearer’s dismal showing in the Southeastern counties of Sinoe, Grand Kru and Maryland counties as well as counties in the Western belt, Cape Mount, Bomi and Gbarpolu.

“We still do not know what some people did with the money they were given,” a source close to the vice President’s campaign said Thursday, speaking strictly on condition of anonymity.

The issue is also being complicated by what one source described as repeated snubbing from the vice President’s camp of the President who, according to sources have been making several overtures including the offering of sit-down meetings with a small team from the VP’s camp, to now avail.

The controversy was compounded this week when Mr. Robert Kpadeh, Secretary General of the Movement for the Support of Boakai, posted a rather critical version of a speech on his personal Facebook page, while the vice President was still delivering another version.

In the version posted by Mr. Kpadeh, the vice President slammed President Sirleaf for not supporting his campaign.

Said Mr. Boakai: “Fellow Liberians, contrary to the assumption and expectations since the start of the formal campaign process for the 2017 Presidential and representative, neither my campaign nor the Standard Bearer Emeritus – all attempts by me or individual operating upon my instructions to extend a hand of cooperation to the Standard Bearer Emeritus have yielded little or no success. Instead, the Standard Bearer Emeritus is on record for making statements to the international media that, wittingly or unwittingly, have the net effect of detracting from our quest for the presidency.

A source close to VP Boakai told FrontPageAfrica that the vice President had rejected the comments put in by speechwriters but Mr. Kpadeh went ahead and posted anyway.

The version, according to sources in both camps reignited the feud between the President and her vice President.

Speechwriters also included in the version which was omitted suggestions that the President was supporting the VP’s opponent in the run-off, the Coalition for Democratic Change.

The version reads: “What is even more concerning is not the fact that the Standard Bearer Emeritus is not the fact that the Standard Bearer Emeritus is not supporting us, but we have received disconcerting and credible information  from multiple sources even within the opposition political parties that the Standard Bearer Emeritus and individuals close to her and operating under her instructions are in fact giving multiple forms of support to our main opponent in the Presidential race, the coalition for democratic change.

It is strange and ironic that some of the very individuals whose performances while in government left a bad impression on the minds of the Liberian people would jump ship to the opposition CDC and be urging CDC operatives to hammer the Unity Party for ‘failing the people’

On Wednesday however, Senator George Weah, the Standard Bearer of the CDC dismissed suggestions the he is being supported by Sirleaf.

“I would like to strongly debunk the lies being perpetrated by enemies of progress that I’m receiving support from Madam Sirleaf. If the Unity Party is not able to cultivate a relationship with its outgoing standard bearer, they should not scapegoat the CDC.”

“You have your problems, deal with it. I want the Liberian people to think very hard about this, don’t give power to people who are disunited and very distrustful of each other; those that are bent on creating division and acrimony among our people.”

With so much animosity between both camps, some of the vice President’s critics appear unsure why he has allowed so many people in his circle to get away with so much, to the detriment of his campaign.

It is a dilemma Snowe appear to acknowledge this week when he lamented that it is regretful that too many attacks are being thrown of VP Boakai for mistakes made by many defectors now ringing praises on opposition political leaders. “I feel sorry for Ambassador Boakai. He is like Jesus Christ right now, he’s being prosecuted right now for sins he did not commit.”

Monrovia – Ahead of the November 7 Presidential runoff between the ruling Unity Party (UP) and the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), the South-eastern University Students Association (SUSA) has endorsed the candidacy of Vice President Joseph Boakai.

The Association in a press statement released on Tuesday, October 24, noted that the decision to support VP Boakai in the upcoming Presidential runoff election is based on the inexperience of the opposition party’s candidate for the runoff election.

“We are aware that the Liberian presidency is not a place for try and error or a position where an inexperienced candidate, who does not have any tangible working history can be given an opportunity to serve our beloved country that is gradually undergoing improvement in all sectors,” the press statement stated.

SUSA declared in their press statement that the UP Standard Bearer is best suited than any other candidate to replace President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as the next president of Liberia because of his experience in government over the years.

The Association described VP Boakai as a tolerant, transparent and nationalistic public servant, who has devoted his time and energy in serving the people of Liberia without been involved corrupt practices.

“We have agreed following heated and civilized debate among us to endorse the candidacy of Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, who is an experienced administrator and also has an enviable performance record. It is an open secret that Ambassador Boakai is prepared to continue the gains we have made for over 10 years, as evidence of his tolerant nature as a presidential candidate, who is people-driven, morally upright and transparent based on his nationalistic public service record”, SUSA asserted.

The press statement further stated that they as students hailing from the south-eastern part of Liberia are prepared to campaign in that part of the country in making sure that VP Boakai is elected as the next President of Liberia.

The students association said their decision to back the presidential bid of VP Boakai over Senator Weah is because of the CDC standard Bearer inexperienced to represent the country both locally and internationally because of his poor educational background.

“Unlike VP Boakai, Senator Weah who is inexperienced can’t represent Liberia locally and internationally on ground that he does not have experience in public service, no solid educational background and can’t freely interact with world leaders based on inexperience.

Finally, we are prepared to campaign in all parts of the south-eastern region of Liberia to ensure that VP Boakai wins the Liberian presidency overwhelmingly,” they assured.

Report by Jackson F. Kanneh jkanneh19912331@gmail.com

Monrovia  –  With 95.6% of  polling places from ballot stations across Liberia reporting, it is looking increasingly likely and mathematically obvious that this year’s Presidential race is headed to a run-off conclusion.

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

With 95.6 percent of votes counted, George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change and Vice President Joseph Boakai are on a collision course to woo and sway the rest of the field of 20-candidates eyeing the Liberian Presidency into their corner. Promises of jobs likely to dominate discussion table

In the past few days, rival supporters of both the opposition Congress for Democratic Change and the ruling Unity Party have been insinuating that they could pull it off in the first round.

But as of the last count, last Saturday, football legend-turned Senator George Manneh Weah has obtained 572, 374 votes  for  39.0%; Vice President Joseph Boakai of the ruling Unity Party has obtained  427,544 votes for  29. 0%; Liberty Party’s Charles Walker Brumskine, 144,353 votes for 9.8%; Alexander Cummings of the Alternative National Congress has obtained 104,125 votes for 7.1 % and Senator Prince Y. Johnson of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction has   102,561 votes for 7.0%.

Like the elections in 2005 and 2011, at this stage of the process, the two leading candidates have already begun making moves across the aisle in hopes of winning over supporters of the rest of the playing field in a bid to strengthen positions for the run-off.

In 2005, an unlikely kingmaker, Dr. Joseph Korto of the Liberia Equal Rights Party, threw his weight behind Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who had just finished second to George Manneh Weah in the first round.

Dr. Korto’s impressive show in vote-rich Nimba would later be rewarded with the Minister of Education post, a position he served from 2006-2010. Dr. Korto placed seventh out of 22 candidates, receiving 3.3% of the vote nationally and the highest vote total in Nimba County, his home base.

John S Morlu Sr, from another vote-rich county, Lofa, finished with 1.2 percent of the votes and landed the coveted post of Commissioner of the Bureau of Maritime Affairs. Nathaniel Barnes, who scored less than 1%, became Liberian Ambassador to the U.N. and eventually to the United States. Nearly all the remaining 20 candidates and their key partisans received positions in government. 

In 2011, all the opposition candidates (except for Dr. Cecelia Ndebe and Dew Mayson) who challenged Sirleaf eventually joined her camp in the second round, securing lucrative positions and contracts in government – as a reward for his support.

Liberty Party Charles Brumksine was promised the ECOWAS Vice President position but he did not get it.

In exchange, he received government-backed contracts, which angered then UP Chairman Varney Sherman. Nearly all the key Executives in Liberty Party secured high level posts in the UP led government during Sirleaf’s second term.

Six years later, Sirleaf’s incumbent factor was crucial but it was the support of Senator Prince Y. Johnson of Nimba who allegedly received thousands in exchange for his second round support to Sirleaf, that proved to be the difference as he broke away from the opposition and took his 13 percent votes total to the ruling party, leaving the rest of the opposition in the cold.

Rev Kennedy Sandy who barely registered in the votes in 2011 was able to secure a $10K a month plus benefits at the Constitutional Review Commission for his support to Sirleaf during the second round.

This year is no different. The jockeying and lobbying for positions have already commenced.

Last week both Weah and Boakai began making approaches to the rest of the field of 20 candidates in hopes of getting their support and win over their supporters.

Weah, according to sources has reached out to Brumskine, Cummings, and Prince Johnson as have Boakai.

FrontPageAfrica now takes a look at how the jockeying and lobbying for positions are playing out and where each of the remaining eighteen candidates are likely to throw their weight.

Charles Walker Brumskine, Liberty Party

THE LOWDOWN: The opposition Liberty Party’s standard bearer is currently engulfed in a fight with Cummings for the third spot. Brumskine is currently sitting third with 144, 353 votes for 9.8 percent. After sitting on the fence in 2005, this election is likely Brumskine’s last attempt at the presidency and many political observers say it is unlikely that he will sit on the fence this time around Brumskine’s decision to sit on the fence in 2005 caused many of his supporters to break ranks feeling the decision put them in to doghouse from getting jobs in the Sirleaf administration.

During the heat of the campaign trail, Brumskine was at odds with Boakai who accused him of receiving financial assistance from President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

“I know what she’s not doing for the Unity Party, but the people probably know what she’s doing for other parties. We’re asking her – the Unity Party is her party, it’s the party that would bear her legacy and she ought to be supporting it,” Boakai told FrontPageAfrica, in an apparent dig at Brumskine. 

The LP standard bearer in response said: “I have heard this for a while from other Presidential candidates and their surrogates and even surrogates of the Vice President, but had decided not to respond, knowing that it is designed to distract [me] from the important issue of who is most prepared to lead our country.

But because such nonsense has been reiterated by a Presidential candidate, who is the sitting Vice President of the country, I now feel constrained to respond.”

The Brumskine-Boakai feud continued at the debate when Brumskine threw several jabs at Boakai drawing ire from the vice President’s supporters.

In past 48 to 72 hours, FrontPageAfrica has learned that despite threatening a lawsuit challenging the elections results, key members of the party’s hierarchy are leaning toward throwing their weight behind Weah in the run-off. It is widely believed that Brumskine’s 2005 decision is a major cause of the current the lingering rift between supporters of the two parties.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 10-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 2-1

Alexander Cummings, Alternative National Congress

THE LOWDOWN: The ANC leader’s strong showing in these elections have got the attention of his doubters and skeptics with murmurs in the corridors of domestic politics suggesting that he could be the next viable opposition leader.

During the heat of the campaign trail, Cummings took the challenge to both Weah and Boakai, first challenging Weah to a debate, after the CDC’s standard bearer took aim at his credential at Coca Cola and later, at Boakai, who he slammed from taking a helicopter ride to the southeast, instead of going by road to see the conditions of those languishing at the bottom of the economic ladder.

On Boakai’s helicopter decision, Cummings said: “I respect our Vice President. I know vice President Boakai actually quite well, and I mean no disrespect to him. But if you don’t experience what your people experience, I’m not sure if there is a strong incentive to fix it.”

The ANC leader, who has amassed to date, 104, 125 votes for 7.1 percent, also took aim at Boakai’s race car analogy during the first debate in which the Vice President insinuated that the reason he was able to do much as vice President because he was like a race car parked in a garage under Sirleaf:

Cummings retorted: “From what I know about race cars, if you park a race car in the garage for 12 years and it doesn’t move, it becomes obsolete. Its parts get old, rusty, and no longer work.

After 12 years, the car itself would have become outdated, unable to compete with newer models on the road.” Cummings indicated that the analogy does not suit the VP’s case, who although he received over US$2M, had nothing substantial to show for such huge salaries every budget year.

“The best thing VP Boakai can do to himself is to apologize to the Liberian people,” Cummings said.

The ANC leader was also engulfed in an exchange with Weah after the CDC’s standard bearer questioned his credentials.

“Let him show up in the next debate and let’s have the discussion in public,” Cummings said. 

“Let’s see who can articulate, let’s see who is clear on policies. If you read some of what they said, it’s a carbon copy of what we’ve been saying around taking out wastes, around redirecting funds.”

In the past 48 to 72 hours, multiple sources within the ANC confirmed to FrontPageAfrica that Cummings is still weighing up which direction he is leaning, but is said to be discussing with key members of the party’s hierarchy and supporters on which we way he will eventually shift.

Once source however noted that whatever decision the ANC leader makes may be conditional on whether whoever he supports will make promise to push some of the issues he advocated for during his campaign, including fight against corruption, pay cut for lawmakers and addressing concerns for those lingering in abject poverty. 

The source said, at the moment, the party is evenly split between whether it should go with Weah and the CDC from where the party broke to go its separate ways, or put the elections rhetoric aside and go with Boakai. Cummings is said to be more concerned about issues he trumpeted on the campaign trail than promises of jobs.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 5-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 5-1

Prince Y. Johnson, Movement For Democratic Reconstruction

THE LOWDOWN: The Senator from vote-rich Nimba has never shied away from anything or anyone. He has also not hidden his distaste for Weah. But again, he has equally not for Boakai, or anyone else.

In the past few weeks however, the Senator has been very vocal against Weah, cautioning that Weah’s election will bring another war to Liberia.

“I am appealing to Ambassador George Weah because you have not become President yet, but you turned loose your men on people to stab them. When you become President, this country will go back to war,” Johnson warned.

Johnson, who as expected is sweeping the votes in vote-rich Nimba, with 102,561 votes for 7.0 percent, charged: “It is not anyone’s birthright to be President, therefore Senator Weah should not impose his will.”

He accused the CDC leader recently of seeking votes from his county, Nimba. “He has gone to my county to shed my people’s blood and this is unacceptable and the people of Nimba and everyone will be informed not to ever vote for George Weah.

Our people are mad and very angry and until an apology is extended to us, we will tell all Nimbaians (1.2 million) not to vote for Weah.

Weah has no control over his men, “just as Charles Taylor had no control. I had control over my men in combat.” 

Widely regarded as unpredictable and unstable, the Nimba County Senator has also thrown jabs at Boakai who he initially supported but later took a U-Turn cautioning Nimbians not to waste their votes on the Unity Party Candidate.

“I strongly believe electorally, the people of Nimba should not waste their votes behind Mr. Boakai who is 76-year-old, who has nothing to offer this country,” Senator Johnson told his kinsmen. Boakai has no intention to think about taking his running mate from Nimba, all he wants is the votes of Nimba.”

Johnson’s anger was aimed at the vice President’s decision not to take a vice President from Nimba.  “If he wants Nimba support, he should take someone from Nimba. Though I am running, it doesn’t matter to me who he takes. This is discouraging, regrettable and disappointing.”

In the past 48 to 72 hours both Weah and Boakai have reached out to Senator Johnson for support and while many believe he is more than likely to lean toward Boakai, judging from his past utterances and actions, it is still uncertain although his past differences with former President Charles Taylor may prove to be a deciding factor in wake of Weah’s decision to pick fellow Senator and former First Lady, Jewel as his running mate.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 2-1 |ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 10-1

Benoni W. Urey, All Liberian Party

THE LOWDOWN: With 22,822 votes tallied so far for 1.6 percent, Urey’s dismal performance in these elections is still being debated. Regarded as one of the leading candidates heading into the race, some aides and skeptics believe, the man dubbed the richest man was low on resources to really make a strong push for the presidency despite a lot of initial promise.

The ALP leader’s demeanor and utterances during the first debate offered a small hint about his direction. In support of the Boakai-Nuquay ticket, Urey averred that it was unfair to label the pair an indigenous ticket or that the ticket was driven by ethnicity.

“The Boakai-Nuquay ticket is an indigenous ticket but all my life I’ve known him (Boakai), he has never given me a reason to make me feel that he is indigenous. For the good of the country, we must end this nonsense.”

Urey’s support and defense of Boakai in the first debate brought him at odds with one of his strongest supporters, Henry Costa, who’s “Wicked Ticket” campaign on his daily talk show is said to have been a major thorn in the Boakai campaign.

In the past 48 to 72 hours multiple sources have told FrontPageAfrica the Urey, who was once an ally to Weah and the CDC has been in discussions with both Weah and Boakai with both camps sounding confident that they could get Urey’s support.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 2-1 |ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 5-1

Mills Jones, Movement For Economic Empowerment

THE LOWDOWN: No candidate came into these elections with more promise and expectations than the former governor of the Central Bank of Liberia. Dr. Jones’s sudden withdrawal and perceived lack of interest in the Presidential run, raised eyebrows as the man dubbed, “The Poverty Doctor” who fizzled from the stage before making a cameo appearance at the last debate has only managed to accumulate 12, 270 votes for 0.8 percent.

Many political observers point to the bolting of his former aide, Clayton Duncan for his demise. While others say, the man who used a massive loan scheme during his time at the CBL just lost steam toward the end.

Jones has been critical of the Sirleaf government which he served. He previously flirted with Weah as a possible running mate but is also said to be bitter with the woman Weah eventually chose, Senator Jewel Howard Taylor. Jones reportedly showered a lot of resources on the former first lady in hopes that she would be his running mate but, according to sources, felt betrayed in the end.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 2-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 5-1

Macdella Cooper, Liberia Restoration Party

THE LOWDOWN: The fact that both she and Weah share a child together may not be a foregone conclusion that she may be leaning his way. But the standard bearer of the LRP, who has surprised a few people by a better-than-expected showing in these elections with 11,281 votes for 0.8 percent has already gone on record to say she is out of politics for the foreseeable future.

Cooper, who once flirted with the idea of becoming Weah’s first lady, managed to reinvent herself into a candidate for the Liberian presidency. As the only woman in the race, she had hope her election would be a great step in the struggle for the women’s movement.

“A lot of people talk about “women’s empowerment” across the continent—especially in Liberia. People talk a lot of talk but rarely take a lot of action. I think people who are serious about getting women involved will put financial support behind women candidates.

A lot of people want to see women heads of state but nobody wants to financially support women-led initiatives—and by this I mean women’s political campaigns or political careers. We need to start supporting women, not just morally, but financially, so that we can stop wishing that the men would change the world for us, but instead create a world that works for women.”

Cooper’s campaign was not without hiccups. Her first party, the Union of Liberia Democratic took her to court and won, forcing her to find another party.

Now armed with a fairly decent amount of votes and support, the next few days will see which way she swayed. Ms. Cooper did not return inquiries from FrontPageAfrica seeking input on where she might land.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 2-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 2-1

Dr. Henry Boimah Fahnbulleh, Liberia People’s Party

THE LOWDOWN: One of the firebrands of the progressive era, Dr. Fahnbulleh, the former national security advisor to President Sirleaf, has so far managed 11,143 votes for 0.8 percent.

Even before the ballots were cast, Dr. Fahnbulleh showed his leanings of where he is more than likely to throw his support.

Quite recently, he slammed the CDC’s standard bearer George Weah, declaring him as a footballer, and not a Presidential material. Dr. Fahnbulleh went on to say that Senator Weah lacks technical knowhow of governance, particularly serving in the nation’s highest seat, arguing that Weah has not been tested politically in serving at the highest level of public leadership.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 2-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 10-1

Senator Oscar Cooper, Independent

THE LOWDOWN: The Margibi Senator whose campaign was dubbed the Oscar Cooper Experience has so far accumulated 9,805 votes for 0.7 percent.

Senator Cooper may be hoping that his campaign trail venom does not come back to haunt him. He had vowed during the heated campaign season, to fight with his sweat and blood to stop Vice President Joseph NyumahBoakai, standard bearer of the governing Unity Party from winning the Presidency, and effectively giving the UP a third term.

In fact, he declared: “Over my dead body, for the Vice President to win these elections, especially the presidency, we will put in all we have, including our blood and sweat to ensure he’s far from the Liberian Presidency. The Liberian people are tired with poverty; I mean living below the poverty line.”

Senator Cooper was also one of a handful of Senators who did not endorse Boakai’s presidency.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 10-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 2-1

Macdonald Wento, United People’s Party

THE LOWDOWN: The UPP standard bearer who once pledged to clean up the mess created by the Sirleaf-Boakai government has accumulated to date, 8,613 votes for 0.6 percent. He also happens to be the founding chair of the Congress for Democratic Change. He offered a hint last week when he paid a visit to the party’s headquarters after reportedly conceding that he had lost his quest for the presidency.

When FrontPageAfrica inquired from him whether he was leaning in the direction of the CDC, Mr. Wento would only say, “I’m and one of the founding executives of the CDC.”

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 10-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 2-1

Isaac G. Wiles, Democratic Justice Party

THE LOWDOWN: The former diplomat, former Deputy Minister of Justice and founder of the Education and Community Empowerment group (DIGWFECOE) aimed at improving the lives of Liberians in the slums, was not expected to do much in a race with 20 candidates and a less-than stellar political backing. He has so far accumulated 6,158 votes for 0.4 percent.

In the past, Wiles was critical of a Senate’s recent statement accusing President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Constitutional violation, slamming reports that President Sirleaf had tampered with the Constitutional Review Committee’s report as unrealistic.

Simeon Freeman, Movement For Progressive Change

THE LOWDOWN: One of the fiercest critics of the Sirleaf administration, Freeman’s showing in his latest attempt at the presidency has been dismal, only accumulating 6,290 votes for 0.4 percent.

Never one to shy away from criticizing his rivals, the DSTV executive took serious jabs at VP Boakai during the campaign season, blaming Boakai for the deteriorating living condition of the Liberian people and the lack of commitment to develop the country’s infrastructure over the years.

Mr. Freeman alleged that over the past 12 years, VP Boakai has received US$25 million as Vice President of Liberia and head of the Senate, but has failed to carry out any development across the country, least to mention the VP’s native Lofa County, to improve the living conditions of the people.

Mr. Freeman has charged that no point in time did the Unity Party Presidential hopeful visit the Ministry of Education to ascertain problems affecting that sector, or help in addressing the situation, “but is now running around to get votes from the people promising them better education if elected.”

He has in the past described Weah as a tourist when Weah served as Peace Ambassador for Liberia.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 10-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 5-1

Aloysious M. Kpadeh, Independent

THE LOWDOWN: One of two clergymen in the race may require a divine intervention before coming to a decision as to who to throw his weight behind.

The clergyman who claimed he had received a revelation from God before embarking on his quest for the presidency was instrumental in aiding Liberian refugees on the Bujumbura Refugee Camp in neighboring Ghana is also the administrative Director at St. Clements University College. Rev. Kpadeh, the General Overseer of Chrida Church in Liberia, has been critical of Police raids to remove criminals off the streets of Monrovia, saying this is not solution to the problem of criminal gangs in the streets, terrorizing peaceful citizens.

The prophecy about his presidency did not come through but the clergyman has managed to accumulate 5,556 votes for 0.4 percent.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 2-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 5-1

Rev. Kennedy Sandy, Liberia Transformation Party

THE LOWDOWN: The second clergyman in the race is an old hand in politics following his first run in 2011. He did back Sirleaf in the second round of those elections and was rewarded with a job. On the eve of this year’s campaign season, his campaign was rocked amid reports that he was pulling out of the race, a charge he would later deny. His latest entry into the race was a repeat of his last try, as he currently has accumulated 5,183 votes for only 0.3 percent.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 2-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 5-1

William W. Tuider, New Liberia Party

THE LOWDOWN: One of few southerners in the race for the Liberian Presidency has only managed 4,727 votes for 0.3 percent so far. After running on a campaign pledge aiming at a fresh start for Liberia, the businessman trumpeted as part of his message that his overriding desire to be President was motivated by his aspiration to improve the lives of Liberians and to transform Liberia into a modern prosperous nation, “beginning with a top-notch universal free educational system, and a justice system that will tackle corruption, the root cause of our nation’s problem.”

Aides to Tuider say he may throw his weight behind fellow southeasterner Weah although it is still unclear which direction he may eventually lean.

ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 2-1 | ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 7-1

George S. Dweh, Redemption Democratic Congress

THE LOWDOWN: One of two former warlords in the race, the Grand Gedeh kinsman is a former speaker of the erstwhile National Transitional Legislative Assembly who emerged out of the LURD rebel movement. A cousin to former President Samuel Kanyon Doe, Dweh managed to secure 3, 614 votes for a mere. 

He has faced accusations that he was involved in the Lutheran Church Massacre as well as the gruesome killing of Johnny Nah and his newly married wife, Farmatta Sherman-Nah at the Sinkor Old Road during the early years of the war, charges he has denied. 

Residents of the county have been critical of the government’s handling of the accused Grand Gedeans linked to treason allegations.

War crimes issues aside, Dweh’s bid for the presidency was never taken seriously but he did manage to accumulate 3,820 votes for a mere 0.3 percent.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 10-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 2-1

Jeremiah Z. Whapoe, Vision For Liberia Transformation (Volt)

THE LOWDOWN: A low-ranked candidate from vote-rich Nimba, Dr. Whapoe is a nephew to the late Jackson F. Doe, a standard bearer of the Liberia Action Party who was slain during the early days of the civil war. He prioritized agriculture on the campaign trail but the candidate who had pledged to be a formidable force prior to the elections has so far only managed 3,820 for votes for 0.3 percent.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 2-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 5-1

Yarkpajuwur N. Mator, Independent

THE LOWDOWN: The scientist, humanitarian and politician ran on a campaign to transform Liberia but with limited visibility find himself at the bottom of field of 201 candidates with a mere 1,862 votes for 0.1 percent.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 2-1 |ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 5-1

Wendell J. E. Mcintosh, Change Democratic Action

THE LOWDOWN: The CDA standard bearer has been a vocal critic of Boakai and the vice President’s role in the failed Foya rice project. McIntosh trumpeted his agriculture expertise on the campaign trail but it is his red flag on the controversial US$30 million from the Government of the late Muammar Gaddafi for Liberia’s agricultural development that has brought him into the headlines.

He has frowned on the recycling of politicians who are only interested in enriching themselves and their immediate families, instead of seeking the interest of the vast majority of the Liberian people who are drowning in abject poverty. Despite his advocacy however, his campaign never really got off the grown and he looks poised to finish at the very bottom of the 20-candidate Presidential race field.

ODDS TO BACK BOAKAI: 10-1 | ODDS TO BACK WEAH: 2-1

The End Game

In the next 48 to 72 hours and beyond, the jockeying for alliances and strange-bedfellows is likely to intensify, Weah and the CDC have reportedly been pitching a unity government in hopes of building a strong government of inclusion that will bring together members of various political parties it hopes will come to their corner in the run-off. The Boakai camp will likely pitch similar ideas in hopes of also building its own core of alliances that it hopes will seal victory and break off the dominance Weah and the CDC exhibited in the first round. 

Unlike the first round, the runoff is poised to be eclipsed by a number of intricacies and complications. Both parties have by now realized that the crowd politics which dominated the first round may not be a factor here. It appears that financing and the issues will be key as both parties look to get the edge on the other.

For Boakai, who relied heavily on Tubman-style endorsements choreographed by lawmakers from both houses in the national legislature, it is a return to the drawing board to correct the many frailties that his aides now acknowledged proved costly, particularly in the Western belt comprising Cape Mount, Gbarpolu and Bomi, all considered Boakai’s stronghold, going into the elections but all swept by Weah and the CDC.

Issues in Margibi where Speaker Emmanuel Nuquay should have been a factor for Boakai could offer perhaps the strongest dilemma for the ruling party. Nuquay’s support for the opposition candidate is said to be a key reason why the county voted blue for CDC.

Margibi County is just one of several challenges facing the ruling party who will likely struggle also in Grand Bassa, River Cess and Sinoe. Multiple sources in the UP camp have confirmed to FrontPageAfrica that Boakai has sanctioned a number of shakeup in hopes of correcting some of those wrongs.

One of those likely to be brought in is Edwin Melvin Snowe, the former speaker who was sideline, as were several others closed to President Sirleaf in the first round, is expected to be more visible in the runoff as Boakai makes a play in the western belt.

While multiple reports in the last 24 hours point toward a major shakeup of the Boakai camp, Wilmot Paye, the party’s Chairman told the VOA’s Daybreak Africa that it is more about making adjustments.

“What’s happening is that the campaigning period for the runoff election is usually two weeks. So obviously, you have to make some adjustments, not necessarily by replacing your team with new people and all that.”

He added: “We are not talking about changing the guard. It’s about modifying, adding new people, redeploying our resources appropriately and within the limited time that we have.”

“I think that is most important. All of our actors, all of our team members, we are grateful to them for the contributions they’ve made and the work they have done. What is important is too beef those efforts up a little bit. That’s what is important.”

Mr. Paye explained that deployment of resources will be key.

“The relative luxury of time we had for the campaigning period before the first ballot is not exactly what we have for the Presidential runoff. What is important is that we have the machinery already, and we have all the different actors across the country, people that are coming over and pledging to support us should there be a runoff, which now has become the reality.”

For Weah and the CDC, the math on paper appears to be simple, maintain a grip on the counties it won in the first round and don’t allow Boakai to make gains as the ruling party look to cut into the ten-point gap advantage the CDC enjoys. 

Most importantly for the CDC, it is the obvious soft target, former first lady Jewel Howard Taylor who will continue to endure the bulk of the criticisms from Boakai’s supporters.

Concerns over the influence of former President Charles Taylor on the Weah-Taylor ticket has been expressed both locally and internationally with many seeing the Jewel factor as a major Achilles for Weah’s bid for the presidency.

As post-war Liberia prepares for its third successive runoff elections, featuring the same two political parties, a number of questions remain unanswered: Did Boakai’s decision to engage in a fight with the incumbent President cost him a first-round victory? How will the party regroup for the runoff and most importantly, would Boakai and the party makes a play to reach out to President Sirleaf?

Paye insists there is no feud with the President.

“There is no feud between the two as I know as national chairman of the party. What has happened over the years and which will continue to happen is that being the diverse political that we are, there will continue to be disagreement.

But what is also important which people need to understand is that if the vice President must elected as President of this country, he must be elected on his track record, on the 40 years that he has served this country very, very diligently without any bad record; his integrity that has no comparison among even the most recent contenders. So, what is fundamental to us is the asset that he brings, the kind of quality leadership that he brings, his appreciation and understanding of the Liberian political and cultural mosaic of our country.”

Equally, for Weah and the CDC, the million-dollar question remains, how will the party ease concerns over the Taylor debacle and how will the party brush off concerns that Sirleaf is working behind the scenes to ensure a Weah victory.

Whichever way these elections end, the world is watching keenly to see how Liberia votes: A field of twenty candidates have been downed to two – an ageing vice President and a retired former world footballer of the year, both battling for a shot at the presidency in the backdrop of an election year where change has been the visible mantra and hope restlessly lurking on the fringes of a nation looking toward restoring its political and economic sanity.

Ganta, Nimba County – Supporters of the Unity Party and its Standard Bearer Joseph Boakai last Friday paraded major streets to welcome their political leader in a great show of support and assurance of his victory.

Report by Al-Varney Rogers –  al.rogers@frontpageafricaonline.com  

What took the day wasn’t the parade. Vice President Boakai for once threw jabs at his critics who often call him “Sleepy Joe”.

 “The other day, I was in the Southeast, I was sleeping in Maryland, I went to Rivercess and slept, I went Bomi, Cape Mount and Gbarpolu and I slept there, I have been sleeping in Nimba, the sleeping took us to Tappita, and Butaw, Today we are here to conclude the sleeping,” VP Boakai mocked his critics. 

Vice President Boakai who has been campaigning over the past weeks in every county termed his critics as jokers.

“These people are not serious, after 170 years we still have the worst roads, and a messy education system, the excuse is not fourteen years of war,” Boakai said.

The Unity Party Standard Bearer said that he has a history of good performance, adding that he has what it takes to develop Liberia.

“We are not going to be a begging nation, I have done it before, we have Jonny just come and they are saying they have the solution to our problem,” Boakai said.

The UP Standard continued: “This time around we are going to build our country, they can say what they want to say, “For 170yrs we have been given the same excuses, the only thing we been looking for is to serve.” 

Vice President Boakai said, with the look of things across the country and the overwhelming support from Nimba, that he’s certain of a one round victory.

“Nimba say they are ready to give it to me, have you ever seen what happened in Monrovia, the Liberian people say they are ready,” Boakai added.

The UP Standard Bearer said that Liberia cannot afford to have a leader with more than one passport.

“We want a leadership with one passport, those who will leave here during Ebola,” he said.

VP Boakai called for free fair and transparent elections adding that this 2017 is destined for him to lead Liberia.

“We want this election to be free, fair, and transparent; this is the time God has destined for us to lead,” Boakai added.

VP Boakai continued: “God has not given you problem, we are number one, be thinking nobody is smart, the level of investment is determined by the educated people you have.”

VP Boakai said people have criticized him of doing little as Vice President adding that the role and limitation of the Vice President are glaring. 

“People say you have been Vice President for 12 years but we all know what a Vice President can do,” The UP Standard Bearer said.

Boakai said the only way a partner will respect Liberia is if they see that those in leadership are honest.

“The only way partners will respect Liberia is if you (leaders) are honest,” we got to build an honest society,” Boakai averred.

Nimba County Senator Thomas Grupee pledged Nimba support to Vice President Boakai adding that a one round victory is certain.

“Nimba County, we are not a loser, we have never fought a losing battle. The decision you make here, will empower me to talk to the next President for the interest of Nimba County,” Grupee said.

Grupee said Liberia needs a reconciler and a leader, not a hero, adding that the decision to take up the task on the UP campaign team was dependent on the people of Nimba.

“Over the past years, we been talking to you, when I was named, I was depending on you, we want a leader not a hero, we want a reconciler, we want a leader who has a mind to transform Liberia. We want one round,” Grupee said.

The Unity Party Nimba County Campaign Manager Felecia Yormie challenge Nambaians to show their loyalty to the Vice President through their vote.

“Nimba County prove yourself, with the help of the market women, chief, elders, youth, students, I stand here to say we will deliver,” Madam Yormie said.

Madam Yormie said, Nimba is too big to fit in anybody’s pocket adding that people of Nimba County are not a commodity and Nimba County is a no go zone.

“We weren’t joking when we decided to support Boakai, Nimba County is a no go zone, the Vice President went to the home of senator Prince Johnson and he was well received, Nimba County  is too big to fit in anyone’s pocket,” UP Nimba Campaign Manager said.

Madam Yormie continued: “Among many women in Nimba, I’m proud to be announced as campaign manager, prove it Nimba.  We are not anybody’s market, we are not bitter balls for people to sell.”

Before the campaign rally Madam Yormie had a school dedicated in honor of the Vice President’s wife.

“We dedicated a school in honor of the incoming first lady Kertumu Boakai,” Madam Yormie said.

A recent mass gathering of grassroots supporters of the Unity Party, particularly among women in the county left observers in doubt as to who controls the county.

The women gathered in their numbers in Sanniquellie to reaffirm their support to the ruling party’s standard bearer.

Under the banner of – Nimba County Women Conference, the women from all walks of life across the county pledged to work to ensure that Vice President Boakai is elected President by the people of Nimba County.

Months ago, Madam Yormie led a mass gathering of grassroots supporters of the Unity Party, particularly women in the county which left observers in doubt.

The women gathered in their numbers in Sanniquellie to reaffirm their support to the ruling party’s standard bearer.

The women from all walks of life across the county pledged to work to ensure that Vice President Boakai is elected President by the people of Nimba County.

Monrovia – Thousands of Unity Party’s partisans and well-wishers along with their standard bearer, Vice President Joseph Boakai (JNB), gathered on the grounds of the party headquarters in Congo Town to give thanks and praises to God for a successful campaign that He (God) allowed them to go through for more than 60 days.

As the sea of jubilant praise singers including members of other collaborating political parties, like the People Unification Party (PUP), from which the Vice Standard Bearer, House Speaker James Emmanuel Nuquay (JEN) hails, gathered on the football field-size headquarters ground, it could not contained the numbers.

The partisans spilled over on the main road consequently causing serious traffic jam for most part of the late evening hours. 

Preaching on Joseph in the Bible book of Genesis, Rev. Simeon Dunbar, founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Christian Center said when the ancient Egyptian King Pharaoh had a national decision to take after his dream had been divinely interpreted by the Israelite prisoner Joseph, he (Pharaoh) turned to his council of wise men and asked, “Can we find a man like this in whom is the Spirit of God?” 

According to the Bible story, Pharaoh placed Joseph in a very top position over all of Egypt, except the throne and he (Joseph, the son of Jacob) served well. 

Pastor Dunbar told his audience that there are three Josephs mentioned in the Bible and all three of them had God’s purpose to accomplish, which they all handled successfully. 

Not explicitly naming Vice President JOSEPH Nyumah Boakai as the “fourth Joseph,” he stated, “Christian friends and Liberians, I have come to help us find this man who can help us find true destiny to our nation like the Joseph of Egypt.” 

He went on to give inspirational meanings to every letter in the last name of the Vice President: B for believer; O ordinary and obedience; A accountable to God and people; K knowledgeable about the office of the Presidency; A acceptability and acceptance; and I integrity. 

A special prayer was offered to God for the VP and most of the partisans of the party stretched their hands towards him as the pastors prayed for him. 

Responding briefly, Vice President Boakai thanked God for giving him and his running mate strength for the campaign.

He reminded his supporters and others who were listening via radio and the internet that the partisans’ gathering was not a political rally but one of thanksgiving to God. 

“This is the time for this country; God has ordained it. God has been and is so good to this country. So we have come to say thanks to him.” 

To a very loud cheer from his supporters, he stated that Gods time has come upon this nation; adding: “Under our leadership, God is going to make Liberia an enviable country that all will run to.” 

This ended the first part, which was moderated by Rev. Luther Tarpeh. 

Speaking during the second part of the ceremony, which was the official campaign closing, Mr. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, National Campaign Manager of UP, said the last two months and few days of criss-crossing the nation has been a marathon. 

“We didn’t get tired from the beginning; we didn’t get tire in the middle of the race. We are at the finished line. In few more days history will be made.”

“Get prepared. Find your voting cards and go to the voting booths and elect #1.”

“He is the most competent and experienced of all the candidates.”

“The candidate with the most profound integrity, he is the common people’s candidate; his name is Joseph Nyuma Boakai.”

Mr. Ngafuan further stated that the harder VP Boakai is fought by his opponents, the stronger he becomes. 

“His name is Joseph. There is a divine similarity here. The more he comes under persecution, the more he survives and rises.” 

To sound of a very loud cheer, he further stated, “This Joseph will tell those who have backstabbed him and said treacherous things about his personality, ‘You meant it for evil but God meant it for good.’

He added that his Joseph is a man of peace, reconciliation and humility and he will invite around the table everyone so that they all can work together to build this nation. 

An organizing member of the PUP, one of the collaborating political parties with the UP, said the ticket of JNB and JEN is the right one as both men have got the answer to most of Liberia’s problems. 

He told the supporters that their dream of a better Liberia is the dream of Boakai and Nuquay. 

Delivering his official speech, the Vice President and Standard Bearer of UP expressed his gratefulness to all partisans, collaborating parties, auxiliary groups, legislators, eminent personalities, religious leaders and well-wishers who put so much energy and effort into running one of the most effective campaigns. 

VP Boakai emphasized: “Let us make it clear that today’s event is actually not a closing rally.

This quest continues until the last ballot drops in the ballot box. What we are here to do today principally is to thank our supporters and the auxiliaries for their role in the historic tsunamic show of strength on the 16th of September. Indeed, your message was loud and clear.” 

The UP Standard Bearer assured Liberians from all walks of life, that when they elect him and JEN into office on Tuesday, they will strive with every fiber in their veins to uphold their confidence and trust in their leadership.

“We say so because we have the capacity, capabilities, experience, the necessary commitment and sense of patriotism to take our country to higher heights, beyond what it has achieved since its 170 years of existence.”

“We give you this assurance because our Presidential slate cuts across the generational spectrum of our society.”

“By combining wisdom, experience, and appropriate leadership temperament with youthful vigor, zeal, and passion, my running mate and I clearly constitute the right generational balance in leading our country for the next six years.” 

The ceremony was interspersed with musical interludes from both secular and gospel musicians, including Tamba Boakai, the Vice President’s younger son, who goes by the stage name, Tan-tan and teenager Ziki-ray.