Monrovia – The 10,000 sitting capacity of the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia is overwhelmed, the playing pitch is full and thousands of supporters are standing outside, awaiting the standard and vice standard bearer of the Unity Party to arrive for the launching of its election campaign.
Report by Bettie Johnson-Mbayo, [email protected]
The standard bearer emeritus is not attending the rally, but supporters say it’s no problem; “Plus her presence, minus her presence, we’ll vote for Boakai,” a partisan told FrontPageAfrica.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said she had made a promise to some women in Suehnmeca District, Bomi County, that she would be breaking ground for the construction of clinic in that area.
To her, that’s of a greater priority than the rally, she said.
Saturday morning started with a heavy downpour of rain in Monrovia but the weather turned out to be merciful – very calm.
Some partisans like Suda Lynch arrived at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium as early as 9:00 AM from Brewerville with his younger siblings.
“I came here because this is the party that my father told me about and I’m happy that am supporting them,” he told FrontPageAfrica.
Sarah Dahn, 44, is physically challenged. With her clutch in one hand, she swings her waist left to right, dancing to the song, “Y’all leave us, da the papay we want.”
Famata Kaba, attired in a her hijab said, “I’m here because this is the man that I want and I feel bad that the standard bearer [emeritus] who I voted for is not here.”
Some of the groups in support of the Unity Party include Sinkor United for Boakai presidency, Nimba for Boakai, and Women of Development in Support of Amb. Boakai and National Muslim heritage foundation is support of Boakai.
Meanwhile, Mr. Joseph Nyumah Boakai and his vice standard bearer are yet to arrive at the ATS as they are being escorted in a slow convoy by hundreds of partisans.