MONROVIA – The former chairperson of the JNB Tact Team, the political support group rooting for ex-Vice President and standard bearer of Unity Party (UP), Ambassador Joseph N. Bokaki’s presidential quest, Ms. Telia J. Urey, has ruled out supporting Joe Boakai in the 10 October polls.
Telia, a topnotch political strategist, who was recently removed unceremoniously from her post as chair of the JNB Tact Team following disagreements between her party, the All Liberian Party (ALP) and the UP, took to Facebook on Thursday, 27 July 2023, to state that she would support whomever she believes can make a good president for Liberia, dismissing what she referred to as “false narrative” that whoever fails to support Boakai and his UP, is against Liberia.
Telia, whose ALP including its political leader her father, Benoni Urey and Henry Costa, an executive of the party believe Boakai and the UP erred in picking Nimba County Senator Jeremiah Koung, as vice standard bearer to the UP standard bearer, noted categorically that she would not carry the burden of nobody who makes mistakes and bad choices.
“Nobody’s mistakes or bad choices will be my bondage. I will support a team that my conscience tells me is best for Liberia in the short and medium term. Not a team or train that has lost its direction,” Telia further wrote.
She described assertions attributed to UP supporters that anyone supporting any candidate other than Boakai is an enemy to the State, as being toxic, divisive, and outright ridiculous.
“I fear nobody and will not be intimidated by any group of people either,” wrote Telia, who advised Unity Party partisans and supporters to instead develop what she called a more strategic campaign plan and message if they are serious about winning the 10 October presidential election.
A former affirmed supporter of Boakai, Telia, informed the UP and its supporters that political parties and leaders earn trust and support, they don’t demand and feel entitled to same, adding that she’s too sophisticated to subscribe to such political posturing.
Telia, who called on Liberians to wake up, pointed out that the 2023 presidential election is too important, indicating, “You all can insult, whine, or cry under my post. I will not be shaken or deterred from speaking the truth.”
Howbeit, true to her words preempting reactions to her assertions, Smart News Liberia has gathered that her post has been generating a barrage of attacks and condemnations from several quarters both on and off social media, with some of such attacks being directed at her father, a former ally to jailed former warlord turned President Charles Taylor.