By Olando Testimony Zeongar
MONROVIA – Nobel Laureate Leymah R. Gbowee, has cautioned Liberian politicians, especially presidential aspirants and their vice presidential running-mates for the 2023 elections, to call their supporters to order, indicating that insults and divisive politicking in the country, have got to come to an end.
Gbowee, who referred to presidential aspirants and their vice standard bearers by nicknames, called on incumbent, President George Weah and his running-mate, Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor of the CDC; former Vice President, Joseph N. Boakai of the UP and his running-mate, Nimba Senator Jeremiah K. Koung; ANC’s Alexander B. Cummings and his vice standard bearer, Charlyne Brumskine; and others, to reflect on what is being taught the country’s younger generation, if their supporters continue to indulge in insults and divisive politics.
“Bad Road Medicine 1 and 2, Rescue 1 and 2, Fixers 1 and 2, and all others in between; kindly call your supporters to order. The insults and divisive politics need to stop,” Gbowee wrote Wednesday, on her official Facebook handle.
She added; “What are we teaching the younger generation? That diverse views and ideologies are wrong?”
Gbowee, a feminist, an activist, and a peace-builder, observed that the sad part is that despite the apparent need, many Liberians are unconcerned with plans and agendas for a better future for the country.
She informed Liberians, especially politicians whose supporters are engrossed in incessantly peddling insults and dabbling in divisive politicking that Liberia is more significant than petty squabbles.
“Let’s put Liberia first. It is the only place we all have to call home,” Gbowee warned.
Madame Gbowee needs to understand the difference between politics and governing. Politics is inherently divisive. Of course, if 12 persons vie for a single seat, what do you expect each candidate to say about their competitors. And if one candidate say something negative about another, one must expect the other to return the favor, if she is serious about the seat. In politics, the ONLY limit is what the law says is Don’t Do; otherwise, every other mudslinging that is not expressly forbidden by law is fair game. That’s politics, whether in Liberia, Tuvalu, Britain or India. On the other have, governing is quite the opposite, to govern one must go beyond the dictates of the law the unite, build and develop. Madam Activist, please learn the difference.