I will not contest

-Amb. Sulunteh
The Senior National Vice Chairman of the ruling Unity Party says he will not contest for any position at the party’s pending national convention on July 7, in Gbarnga, Bong County. Liberia’s Ambassador to United States, Jeremiah Sulunteh, told this paper he has decided to be an ordinary partisan but remains obligated to the UP.

Vice President Joseph Boakai and ex-Foreign Minister Dr. Toga Gaywea McIntosh are vying for the standard bearer post to contest the Presidency in 2017. Between the two, inside sources say VP Boakai has wide support.

Ambassador Sulunteh, who is in the country to await the arrival of U.S First Lady Michelle Obama today, Monday 27 June said, he will remain in the country to participate in the pending convention. The Liberia Ambassador Plenipotentiary to Mexico, Canada and the U.S however declined to disclose who he will give his support to at the convention.

He maintained that both candidates are equally qualified and will work with anyone who will emerge victorious to become the party’s flag bearer for the 2017 elections. According to him, Vice President Boakai is a good leader and well experienced, while adding that Dr. McIntosh has international experience and is very well educated.

However, the Liberian Envoy said he will be a major player in the 2017 Presidential and Representative Elections. Amb. Sulunteh spoke over the weekend in Gbarnga, Bong County when he visited his native Bong after arrival from the U.S. to await U.S First Lady Michelle Obama, who arrives in Liberia today at the start of a three-nation tour to promote Let Girls Learn initiative.

-Editing by Jonathan Browne