Thousands of Unity Party partisans and supporters over the weekend defied a heavy downpour of rain to storm Monrovia for the official launch of the party campaign.
Dressed in the Party’s traditional color, green and white, thousands of supporters resisted a rain that disrupted normal activities across the city to signal their party’s preparedness to return to power.
The Unity Party is hoping to be the first former ruling Party to return to power 152 years. The last time it happened was in 1871 but through a coup d’état, when the Republican Party came back to power following the overthrow and assassination in 1871 of President E.J. Roye (the first True Whig Party President)
Given the massive turnout, it was reported that the Unity Party Vice Standard Bearer, Nimba County Senator Jeremiah Koung did not reach the stadium, while the Party’s standard Bearer Joseph Boakai did not deliver his campaign speech due to his late arrival at the central Monrovia stadium.
There were also huge rallies in cities and towns in Lofa and Nimba, home counties of Joseph Boakai and his running mate Jeremiah Kpan Koung as well as other places across the country.
What Boakai have to say
Despite not being able to speak to his supporters, the Unity Party later released Boakai’s manifestos for the country in which he acknowledged the challenges the country faced.
The UP-standard Bearer assures Liberians that together as people the many challenges facing the country will be confronted head-on with compassion and determination while promising to work tirelessly to create an inclusive society, where no Liberian will be left behind.
Boakai expressed his excitement and optimism about what he sees as a national call to rally citizens of Liberia for ‘RESCUE MISSION’ to reverse what he termed as hardships so many Liberians and their families have been subjected to over the last six years.
Corruption a problem for Liberia
Boakai has worked in many governments that have been labeled as corrupt, but many of his critics have been unable to directly link him to any involvement in corruption. The 78-year-old is aware that corruption remains one of Liberia’s major problems in addressing poverty.
The former Vice President said his government will not allow the country’s resources to be pawned by a few people for their selfish interests.
“the people of this country and their government under our stewardship will be equal partners in the judicious exploration of national resources for the good of the people. If there must be economic growth from the exploration of our resources, that growth must be equal for our people and must come with development” he said.
Boakai a former Minister of Agriculture during the early 80s assures Liberians of accountability and transparency during his administration, nothing that gone are the days when few people will decide the fate of the country with their hidden agendas.
Education remains key to development
According to World Bank statistics, only 43% of Liberians are literate, which former Vice President Boakai thinks needs to improve if the country must move forward.
“A well-educated society is a thriving society. We will invest in our schools, teachers, and students, ensuring that quality education is accessible to all” he said.
According to the Unity Party standard Bearer, equipping young minds with the knowledge and skills they need, will unlock their potential, drive innovation, enhance their dignity, and secure a prosperous future for the nation.
A listening leader
Over time, many Liberians have accused their leaders of only listening to them when seeking power, but turn their ears after ascending to national leadership. But the former President noted that his case will be different, pledging to be a leader who will listen, engage everyone, and value their input.
He noted that together as a country, he will establish a government that fosters trust, encourages dialogue, and invites the citizens’ active participation in the decision-making process. The 78-year-old who probably making his last attempt at the presidency, assures Liberians that their ideas will shape the government policies and their feedback will hold leaders of the country accountable.
The need for unity
Liberia is a country of diversity with people with different cultures and beliefs. In his manifestos, the former Vice President said his government will celebrate the country’s differences, fostering an environment of inclusion, respect, and understanding. He averred that his government will bridge the divides, heal wounds, and work towards a society where unity prevails over division.
Boakai a one-time Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC) noted that together as people his government will build a nation that is greater than anyone would expect from him, noting that Liberians have over 100 years focused on state-building, but it was time to promote nation-building to pull the joint potential as people for the good of the country.
Promoting Liberia’s image
The former Vice President also promised to restore Liberia’s respect among the comity of nations, indicating that Liberia will become of hope in the world and intends to reverse its image as what he called a narco-state, where it is gradually becoming a transshipment point for illegal drugs and a place of attraction for transnational criminal enterprise.
According to the Unity Party standard Bearer, he will lead a government where Liberians will once again be proud of their country, hinting that Liberia will be the destination for people in Africa and around the world.
Boakai said, that Liberian has never been at a worse point since the restoration of democratic governance in 2006 and at this time in the country’s history, there can never be a better time than now for Liberians to make one of the most important decisions to save the future of their children.
He urged his support to take their families, friends, and neighbors to polling centers and vote massively for the Unity Party Alliance to seek the change they demand.
“as you prepared to do so, the simple question you and all voters must ask yourselves is this: Are you better off today than you were six years ago? If the answer is as we know it is no, then, there can be no patriotic duty, but a determination to democratically unseat this regime, curtail corruption, stop the relentless pillaging of the national coffers, and usher in a responsive and responsible government” he noted.
The need for free fair elections
Taking cue from the recent election in Neighboring Sierra Leone, the former Vice President made it clear by assuring supporters that any plans or attempts to thwart the will of the Liberian people by stealing the election, will be forcefully resisted by the Unity Party, the people of Liberia, and the international community, which has invested so much in the peace and stability of the country. He indicated that the UP will leave no stone unturned to work with international prosecutors to expose and arrest those who will foster electoral violence and derail the hard-won peace.
The former Vice President extolled the US Government’s statement regarding safeguarding the election, noting that preserving the sanctity of the elections is of paramount importance in upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the will of the people is accurately represented.
The unity Party standard Bearer said while the UP Alliance welcomes the imposition of sanctions on those who would attempt to thwart the will of the Liberian, they urged ECOWAS, the United States, the European Union, the African Union, and other international partners to fully thoroughly, and actively engage the process now to avert any threat that will undermine the elections by acknowledging and understanding the significance of identifying and combating any attempts to undermine the process.
The UP-campaign lunch turnout has been a talking point in the country with many now predicting a first-round victory for any political party in this election is not possible.
