Willie N. Tokpah/0777039231/0888140438 [email protected]
Monrovia-Liberia’s ruling Unity Party Secretary General, Wilmot Paye, has officially announced his intention to contest the National chairmanship of the party in its July 2016 primary which is expected to be held in Gbanga, Bong County. Paye, who is still in the Secretary General post of the ruling establishment since October 2010, attributed his decision to contest for the chairmanship due to popular demand from over 400 members across Liberia.
According to him, the party’s current chairman, Cllr. Varney Sherman, has already informed executives that he will not contest the chairmanship and as such, filling the vacancy with a potential person like him in the upcoming convention remains a paramount concern not only to him but also key officials of the party.
“We want to formally, officially and publicly announce that on July 8, 2016, Wilmot Paye, Secretary General of the Unity Party for the past five years, will be contesting the national chairmanship of the Unity Party,” he said.
Addressing reporters Wednesday at the Unity Party’s Headquarters in Congo Town, Paye claimed that he is the most suited and qualified person to occupy the UP-Chairmanship.
The UP Secretary General further outlined his commitment to serve the party as Secretary General over the years, thereby producing a presidential candidate on the party’s ticket for the second time as some of the factors that prove his eligibility for position.
“We were part of the senior management team during the Unity party campaign in 2011—we executed our duties correctly until the party emerged victorious”, Paye said. Speaking further, he lashed at public perception that the UP is unprepared for the 2017 general and presidential elections, noting that the current status of the party clearly indicates that its commitment to partisans has been upheld.
“Today we are pleased and fulfilled that the Unity Party has once more become that magnet that is attracting forces, friendly forces, some of which were initially doubtful about the party and so we are pleased with our achievements”, he continued.
He revealed that his team has toured the 15 political subdivisions of Liberia in order to build a strong constituency ahead of the Unity Party convention.
He said his chairmanship will go from people center to member center. Paye lamented that the party has been focused on external issues over the years, but he looks
forward to addressing it.
Paye named the construction of party’s headquarters in various counties as key initiatives he wants to address.
He disclosed the Unity Party’s plan to launch a massive outreach campaign in reuniting some of its members who have been reluctant to participate in its activities during the course of operation.