In a dramatic turn of events, Lofa County, a stronghold of the main opposition leader Joe Boakai’s Unity Party (UP) in Liberia, witnessed a political drama as the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), led by President George Weah, made a strategic move to gain support in the northwestern region. The clash of colors became symbolic of the power struggle between the two parties, with the county initially turning blue but ultimately reverted to its true green identity.
It all began when President Weah, accompanied by a delegation of CDC members, embarked on a visit to Lofa County to rally support for the ruling party’s campaign for reelection. The CDC, known for its blue color scheme, allegedly distributed blue T-shirts abd some cash among the locals as a part of their campaign strategy. The move was seen as an attempt to symbolize the county’s support for the CDC and create an environment conducive to President Weah’s visit.
As news of the CDC’s visit spread throughout Lofa County, the citizens were divided in their responses. Some embraced the ruling party’s presence, while others remained loyal to Joe Boakai’s UP and its signature green color. The political tension escalated as the county became divided between those donning blue T-shirts and those who would proudly remain loyal to their green UP attire.
During President Weah’s visit to Zorzor City, the streets were filled with citizens wearing blue T-shirts, seemingly showing their support for the ruling party. However, as soon as President Weah and his delegation departed from the city, a remarkable shift occurred. The Lofa citizens, who had temporarily embraced the blue color, swiftly removed their CDC T-shirts and replaced them with their beloved green UP attire; singing and dancing in the name of Mr. Boakai. Boakai is a native of Lofa; and Weah who has a significant number of Lofa oficials in his government has desperately been trying to wrestle the county away from Boakai’s influence.
This spontaneous act of defiance by the citizens of Lofa County sent a powerful message, demonstrating their unwavering loyalty to the UP and their opposition to the ruling CDC. The sea of green shirts that reappeared in Zorzor City symbolized the resilience and determination of the opposition supporters in the face of political manipulation.
The events in Lofa County not only highlight the deep political divisions within Liberia but also shed light on the citizens’ commitment to their chosen political affiliations. The switch from blue to green T-shirts showcased the people’s desire to maintain their loyalty to Joe Boakai and the UP, despite the ruling party’s attempts to sway public opinion as to who the county supports.
The political drama in Zorzor serves as a reminder of the significance of color symbolism in political campaigns and the resilience of citizens in expressing their political preferences. As the countdown to the next general elections approaches, the battle between the CDC on the one hand, and the UP and other political parties including the CPP of Alex Cummings on the other hand, is expected to intensify, with Lofa County emerging as a key battleground that could shape the future political landscape in Liberia. In the maintime, President Weah is still making rounds in the county endeavoring to still sway votes in his favor in less then 14 days to elections.
