PYJ, BRUMSKINE FORMING MERGER?

Comments regarding coalition and collaboration made by the political leader of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction or MDR, Sen.Prince Y. Johnson when he attended the official launch of opposition Liberty Party or LP’s national headquarters appear to suggest tha political discussions over merger between MDR and LP could be oncourse.

The Nimba Senator Mr. Johnson who became a kingmaker in the 2011 presidential elections won by President Ellen Johnson – Sirleaf after giving her his support against Cllr. Winston Tubman and George Weah,says his appearance at the Liberty Party in Congo Town Tuesday, 31 January was in continuation of the Ganta Declaration which sought to have opposition political parties form coalition, alliance or merger.

Sen. Johnson said collaboration of political parties, especially opposition parties was his dream ahead of the elections, while urging Liberians to reject President Sirleaf and the Standard Bearer of the ruling Unity Party for the presidency which would mean a third consecutive term for the ruling party.

The Nimba Senator accused the ruling Unity Party or UP of allegedly failing in every sector, adding that it failed to improve the livelihood of Liberians. He recalled President Sirleaf’s alleged public admittance over her alleged failure that he says speaks volume.

Some observers are suggesting that Sen. Johnson’s appearance at another political party’s rally while heading a different political party was the first of its kind in the contemporary politics here to have a political party leader attending another party’s function.

There are suggestions that such assembly of two opposition political party leaders and Sen. Johnson’s comments on coalition and collaboration while at the LP event appear to indicate that the political discussions between his MDR and the LP might be on course.

He had been invited to witness the LP’s headquarters launching program that took place in Congo Town on Tuesday, January 31 as multitude of LP supporters dressed in white T-Shirts with green printing of party emblem and blue jeans flooded the party premises and surrounding areas.

Speaking to thousands of supporters, followers and partisans, LP political leader Cllr. Charles Brumskine said his party was prepared to do what the ruling UP failed to achieve during its 11 years of administration.

Cllr. Brumskine, a two – time presidential defeated candidate, told the gathering how President Sirleaf admitted of failure to combat corruption and to reconcile the country in her recent Annual Message.

Cllr. Brumskine insisted that his party was sure of victory comes October 10, as he uncontrollably smiled with his supporters like he had been declared winner already.

The former President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate of imprisoned former president Charles Ghankay Taylor’s government, Cllr. Brumskine pointed out that his party was prepared in all capacities in making sure that it becomes the winner of the October 10 elections.

In observance of the launch of the party headquarters, LP partisans who had been assembled within Montserrado County, marched through Congo Town with PA Systems mounted outside the party headquarters and on vehicles.

Tubman Boulevard traffic came to a standstill, as police diverted the traffic urging commuters coming towards central Monrovia from Paynesville to use the route through Old Road to ease traffic congestion.

The march which commenced at the Monrovia City Hall and SKD Boulevard Junction respectively, resulted to slow movement as workers, students and business people could not make their way easily to their various destinations due to the traffic lock down.

Following the march, the partisans, supporters and LP political leader Cllr. Brumskine converged at its new headquarters at the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital Junction for the mouthwatering program graced by Sen.Johnson.

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor-Editing by Winston W. Parley