By Kruah Thompson
Newly elected Senator of River Gee County, Francis Saidy Dopoh, II, says he will not support any of the two Presidential Candidates that are going for runoff in the 2023 election.
Incumbent President George Manneh Weah of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change and his main challenger, former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, led the first round of polling, but none of the two obtained 50 percent of the total votes cast plus one, as required by law to be declared winner.
During a media engagement at the Capitol Building on Thursday, October 19, Senator-Elect, Dopoh said his intention to remain neutral in the runoff between incumbent President Weah and former Vice President Boakai is to enable him directly work with the people, rather than appealing to any authority.
With 98.4 percent of the votes already announced, President Weah maintains a narrow lead of less than one percent over Mr. Boakai. Mr. Weah received 791,661 votes, representing (43.79 percent) while Boakai has 786,205 votes, or 43.49 percent, respectively.
As a result, both candidates will now enter a runoff election, where they will compete for the presidency, seeking endorsements from various political parties and leaders.
However, acknowledging the significance of his role as Senator-Elect of River Gee, Dopoh revealed that there are internal disagreements within the opposition Unity Party, which informed his decision to contest as an independent candidate, which ultimately led to his victory.
He vows to maintain his status as an Independent Candidate, while diligently fulfilling his duties in serving the people of Rivergee County.
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When asked about guiding the people of the county in the upcoming runoff election, he expressed his willingness to collaborate on governance matters but emphasized that he will remain independent.
At the same time, he noted that the county already has a senator in the legislature, with whom he intends to collaborate in pursuing shared interests while striving to bring the best outcomes for River Gee.
He stressed the importance of prioritizing the people’s interests over party allegiance, believing that representatives who prioritize party over the people often face consequences at the ballot box.
Dopoh, who highlighted the role of the legislature in shaping government’s agenda, pledged to ensure that River Gee County’s interests are well-represented in government policies.
Particularly, he emphasized infrastructure, education, healthcare, and aligning county policies with national regulations and projects. He assured the county that his primary focus and commitment would be fulfilling his responsibilities as a senator, saying “I have been elected to serve the people of River Gee County, and that remains my utmost priority.” Editing by Jonathan Browne
