By Lewis S. Teh
Youth from about 10 opposition political parties have pledged their support to the re-election bid of President George Manneh Weah.
Mr. Weah of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and his archrival Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai of the Unity Party (UP) will meet in a presidential run-off on 14 November 2023.
The endorsement program was held Wednesday, 1 November 2023 at the CDC headquarters in Oldest Congo.
Mr. Austin D. Toe of the All Liberian Coalition Party (ALCOP) said their decision to endorse President Weahโs re-election bid is to enable the incumbent to continue his development initiatives.
“Today, we have gathered here not because we want to be part of the wave of support coming from many well-meaning Liberians. No, but because the country is at a critical juncture and we as young people must provide the best direction for our country and we are resolved,” he said.
He noted that they all agree that amid the challenges, the CDC government has made some strides during the nearly six years of its rule.
Mr. Toe also lauded the CDC regime for the many young people in the country who are holding senior-level government positions.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]
According to him, they are making sound decisions for the collective survival of the country.
They suggested that this must be celebrated and encouraged by every young person in the country.
He stated that the young people cannot leave the country to those who took it to the dungeon and reduced them to beggars.
He added that Liberia must be left with a person who has added value to the youthful generation.
The ALCOP Youth League chairperson praised President Weah for his exceptional dedication to youth empowerment and the well-being of citizens across the country.
He argued that Mr. Weah is the best between the two candidates in the run-off election.
โโฆ And his enviable character resonates through the length and breadth of this country,” Toe continued.
In response, CDC National Youth League Chair Emmanuel M. Johnson expressed joy over the decision taken by the young people.
Mr. Johnson said he was honored to have joined ranks with ten opposition youth league members, noting that the support was unprecedented.
โWe are aware that in the first round, we may have hated one another, but honestly those actions werenโt intentional. [They were] political differences that we had expressed,โ he said.
He admonished the young people to be aware that the business of the CDC youth league isn’t about sitting and having dinner.
โInstead, the business is to go in the trenches and knock on every door to make sure that President Weah gets re-elected,โ he said.
“We urged you to put on your garment by going into homes encouraging our people to make the right decision,” he continued.
The political parties whose youth league chairpersons have endorsed President Weahโs re-election bid are the Liberty Party, Liberian People Party, Alternative National Congress, All Liberian Party, Movement for Progressive Change, Liberia National Union, Liberia Restoration Party, NDC, ALL, and ALCOP.
