By Lincoln G. Peters
Political tides are shifting daily ahead of Liberia’s 2023 presidential elections, as Vision for Liberia Transformation Party (VOLT) political leader Dr. Jeremiah Z. Whapoe’s decision to proxy at a program for the standard bearer of the former ruling Unity Party (UP), Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai leaves many to wonder if Whapoe is considering an alignment with Boakai.
Mr. Boakai on Wednesday, 16 February announced the withdrawal of his party from the once formidable opposition political bloc, the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) which has won several much-needed legislative elections ahead of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) of President George Manneh Weah.
Boakai and his party’s decision came after several months of internal differences and endless fights, including lawsuits among the CPP hierarchies which have led to the party’s obvious breakdown before the next legislative and presidential elections, are held.
“Fellow Liberians, partisans, supporters, we appreciate your desire to see a unified CPP, We are grateful for your massive support of our candidates in the December 8, 2020, Special Senatorial election. Let me assure you that all is not lost, Liberia will be redeemed, but we all are going Separate Ways, God is in control”, Amb. Boakai announced here Wednesday, 16 February.
But before UP could announce its pullout from the CPP, Dr. Whapoe was seen in Grand Cape Mount County, western Liberia, serving as a proxy for Mr. Bokai at a two-day football and kickball tournament organized by Madam Kula Bonah Nyei Fofana, District #2 Representative aspirant in the county.
All along Mr. Bokai and his key CPP contender Mr. Alexander B. Cummings of the Alternative National Congress failed to agree on who heads the CPP’s presidential ticket, and options for a consensus, voter perception survey or primaries to pick a ticket had often suffered bitter reactions internally.
None of the two have accepted to become the vice – standard bearer to the other.
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Boakai’s decision to have Dr. Whapoe, a 2017 presidential candidate and 2023 president aspirant who hails from votes-rich Nimab County as a proxy at a program has left many thinking if the two opposition leaders are considering a new political alignment after CPP’s fall.
The two-day football and kickball tournament was held from 11 to 13 February in Sinje, Garwula District, Grand Cape Mount County at the Sinje Sports pitch.
The tournament named and styled ‘’Who Owns District 2 Madina Township,’’ brought together several participating clans including, Kiazolu 1, Kiazolu 2, Zoegboe, Manobalah, Gio, Zoduah, Kaidii, Kaihun, Commonwealth and Tombay chiefdom.
The program was graced by the Secretary General of Unity Party, Moli Ali, Vision For Liberia Transformation Party Political leader Dr. Jeremiah Z. Whapoe who proxy for Mr. Boakai.
Dr. Whapoe presented trophies and certificates to deserving clans and individuals.
At the grand final on Sunday, residents of the county including people from Robertsport also formed part of the entertaining ceremony.
Presenting the awards and making brief remarks, Dr. Whapoe said that he was excited to serve as the proxy of Amb. Boakai, noting that it’s the beauty of modern democracy in the world and Liberia is no exception.
He said Liberia must adapt to the current transformation in the political space.
“I’m here to proxy on behalf of Amb. Boakai and I know somebody is asking now in their hearts that you are not [a] member of Unity Party, why are you doing so? This is the beauty of modern [politics],” Dr. Whapoe said.
He said this means that tomorrow if Amb. Boakai wins, there will be harmony between him and other political parties.
“Equally so, if I Jeremiah Whapoe win the election tomorrow, the same will be with me. We are showing to the Liberian people that there is no disunity among the opposition, but a common goal to liberate the people,” said Whapoe.
He explained that Mr. Boakai believes in agriculture just as himself (Dr. Whapoe), saying they are working with unity because any of them can win tomorrow.
He urged the citizens of Grand Cape Mount County, district 2 to stand with representative aspirant Fofana in her quest to liberate the county because she is very passionate about youth development, unity, reconciliation and peace, something he believes is the benchmark for development and prosperity.
‘’I want to encourage you people, of course, voting time has not come, but it’s now that you know who cares for you. Because those that really care will always be with [you] whether if there is an election or not or even if [the] election is far or closer,” Dr. Whapoe pleaded for Ms. Fofana.
“She has shown to you people that she cares and I believe that when somebody is alive, you should give the person their flowers. So we are looking forward that in 2023 when
I’m coming back in this district, I will come here with a new, young and energetic representative that will be Fofana,” he added.
For her part, representative aspirant Kula Bonah Nyei Fofana said she is excited and appreciates the various clans that participated in the tournament, adding that the tournament is intended to display the hidden talents of district 2 and reunite the people.
“Thank you all for coming here today for this tournament. We have cash and trophies for the participating teams. This is just a moment for us to share fun and activate the unity, peace and togetherness that we all enjoy. I want to assure you here today that this initiative will continue through sports, our county will be united and reconcile with mass development,’’ she concluded.https://thenewdawnliberia.com/dr-whapoe-locks-down-western-liberia/
