By Lincoln G. Peters
The opposition Unity Party (UP) has clarified its standard bearer Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s statement warning against election rigging.
Amb. Boakai recently told a political gathering that if the election is stolen, “that’s the end of this country.”
“If they think they will steal this election, it will not hide because if they will do it, that’s the end of this country,” said Boakai.
Boakai’s statement has sparked criticisms, pushing the Unity Party to issue an impromptu statement on Sunday, 24 September 2023 under the signature of its Secretary General Mr. Amos Tweh.
The UP statement said when Boakai said if the elections are rigged, there would be no country, he is NOT saying that he and his supporters will wipe out the country.
Over the weekend, Amb. Boakai while on a campaign rally in Montserrado, particularly district #2 Nimba United Football Field said if the elections are rigged in favor of the ruling party, that’s the end of the country.
The UP said that Amb. Boakai’s statement meant no harm, explaining that what he is saying in effect is against the backdrop of the terrible performance of the Weah government over the past years.
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The opposition party further indicated that it’s paradoxically appalling that partisans, supporters and apologists of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) would now focus more on taking out of context, statements made by its standard bearer and others, aimed at preventing elections rigging.
The party narrated that it’s so shocking that CDC seems to place less significance on what rigging of elections has done or could do to the country.
UP said those who orchestrate the stealing of elections essentially waged war against the people and the Constitution of Liberia.
“Elements who maybe planning to steal elections are those who really want to plunge Liberia into chaos,” the party said.
“Those who warn against the stealing of elections and urge their supporters to protect their votes are those who want peace and tranquillity to prevail in Liberia,” UP disclosed.
However, Amb. Boakai and the Unity Party Alliance call on President Weah and all Liberians and interested stakeholders to commit to free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in line with the expectations of the Constitution and laws of Liberia.
“As a Party, we remain fully committed to the Farmington Declaration on nonviolent elections in Liberia.”
We are very confident that H. E Joseph Nyuma Boakia will be elected President of Liberia based on his record of service and vision for the transformation of Liberia through Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation/Health and Tourism,” UP assured.
According to the UP, in essence, rigging elections will place the country in the hands of incompetent, wicked, corrupt, and visionless President George Weah for 6 more years, and the downslide and retrogression that are tantamount to not having a country. -Edited by Winston W. Parley
