Boakai’s Presidential bid unfolds?

Report from Lofa County says citizens are gearing up in the county to petition Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to contest for the Presidency in 2017.

The report is emerging as Vice President Boakai embarks on a tour of Lofa this weekend, leading a high-power delegation, including members of the County Legislative Caucus, women group and youth groups and students to meet with elders and traditional leaders.

 The NewDawn has also gathered that an advance delegation leaves Monrovia today, Thursday, May 6, for the county, ahead of the VP’s arrival there.  

Capitol Building sources have hinted that Ambassador Boakai is making the Friday’s trip to announce his presidential bid before engaging the rest of the country.

However, a security source in the Office of the Vice President said the planned visit is in fulfillment of the Kissi’s tradition that mandates  young folks or sons and daughters to consult traditional leaders, elders, and the entire county when a high profile personality such as Amb. Boakai is about to embark such countywide tour.

When this paper contacted Lofa County Senator Steve Zargo and Representative Clarence Massaquoi on the planned visit, they said the Lofa Legislative Caucus was invited by Ambassador Joseph Boakai to accompany him on the tour, but maintained that they do not know the main purpose of the Vice President’s trip.

Also when an aide to the Press Attaché to the Vice President was contacted, he similarly denied having any idea. “I’m not aware of the activities or the ceremony of the Vice President because the entire program is being planned by the locals back home. So anything I may tell other than this will be far from the truth, the officer, who asked for anonymity, said.

It could be recalled, since 2012, Veep Boakai, who is also president of the Liberian Senate has dangling as whether he contest for the presidency or not.

Ambassador Boakai has contested twice as running mate to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on the ticket of the governing Unity Party.

Madam Sirleaf’s second and final term expires in 2017.

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor