Alternative National Congress (ANC), Political leader Alexander B. Cummings has warned his colleagues within the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) that he will not be part of any decision that will violate the framework that established the CPP.
“Where there is insistence on not correcting our collective mistake, but to continue to proceed wrongly, in spite of clear violations of our laws, I will not be part of it. We owe the Liberian people an obligation to do things differently; to be better than this government. If not, how are we the alternative?” he asked rhetorically.
The CPP, Liberia’s biggest opposition bloc has been engulfed in a troubling internal wrangling in the buildup to the Collaboration’s primary aimed at selecting a candidate for the 2023 presidential election.
The collaboration is made up of four main opposition political parties that include Liberty Party (LP), the ANC and the All Liberian Party (ALP) and the immediate past ruling Unity Party.
Mr. Cummings recently walked out of a meeting convened by the chairperson of the collaboration, Grand Bassa County Senator, Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence, noting that the gathering had no agenda and as such he had no business being there.
Also in attendance at that meeting were former Vice President, Joseph N. Boakai (UP), Mr. Benoni Urey (ALP), Senator of the Liberty Party (LP) and the chairperson, who is also the political leader of the LP.
An earlier decision to extend the tenure of Senator Karnga-Lawrence as head of the CPP instead of ambassador Boakai taking charge, had caused rage among ANC stalwarts and supporters who felt that the political parties’ leaders were deviating from the framework document that consummated the collaboration.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, the ANC political leader acknowledged that he had earlier agreed with his colleagues to allow Senator Karngar-Lawrence to serve beyond her expired term, but later disagreed after he was advised by the ANC’s lawyers that the decision was wrong, and violated the CPP framework.
He noted that he cannot be a part of the wrongs that violate the CPP framework document; adding, the CPP must show it is the right alternative to succeed the Weah-led administration.
“I reached out to my colleagues to abandon the decision to extend the tenure of Senator Karnga-Lawrence but they were determined to carry on the plan, something that led to his walkout,” he said.
“A wrong is a wrong regardless of who commits it, including myself. Recognizing and correcting a wrong is not weakness. It is an attribute of leadership, and is honorable,” he noted, “doubling down on wrongs is dishonorable and a product of undemocratic leadership.”
Ending presidential ambition
Cummings told Liberia Public Radio’s Alphonso Zeon Soe that he would direct more energy to his Cummings Africa Foundation and other activities that will impact the country and its people if his attempt to take the presidency fails.
Mr. Cummings in an interview with Liberia Public Radio recently said despite having the desire to change the country, only the people of Liberia can give him authority to change their story, and if they do not see him as the person do that, he will seek others alternatives to serve his country.
“I will go and focus on my Foundation and other means that will allow me help Liberians if I failed in my bid to be President of Liberia in 2023” Cummings noted.
Cummings reiterated his comment that only at the presidency he can impact the country of 5 million people, dispelling rumors that he is been ‘overly ambitious’ seeking only the presidency other than the legislature.
The ANC Political Leader noted being the President of Liberia give one the authority to take most important and prudent decision that the shift lives of millions of citizens as compare to a lawmaker or individual.
