By Olando Testimony Zeongar
LIBERIA – The Standard Bearer of the main opposition Unity Party, Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai (JNB), in a New Year message to the nation, has rallied Liberians to keep hope alive in spite of what he called adversity, corruption and careless attitude exhibited by the CDC-led government during its reign over the past five years.
The Unity Party Standard Bearer and former Vice President of Liberia acknowledged the resilience, courage, and determined spirit exhibited by Liberians during the five-year rule of the CDC-led government, which he maintained, was characterized by adversity, corruption and careless attitude exhibited by the governors.
He lauded Liberians for mustering the courage to have endured what he called the economic storms and challenges they faced over the past five years, lamenting that some of those challenges made their lives unbearable and miserable to the extent that five years of the George Weah administration was like living in hell.
“The five years were characterized by a disregard for human life, looting of the nation’s coffers and natural resources with no account or report to the people of Liberia that employed this government with a clear mandate which has not been fulfilled, and will not be fulfilled,” said JNB, who pointed out that yet, the ruling class is seeking another chance, which the Unity Party man says if given to the CDC, would lead to bringing the country to its knees.
He slammed the Weah administration for indulging in gross violation of the Liberian constitution, abuse of human rights and gross disregard for accountability, during its stay in power for the last five years.
“Further, our citizens continued to feel insecure when they go to bed at night simply because resources that are intended to protect lives and property are being diverted to political programs of the CDC,” Boakai further lamented, indicating that for such a grave national security breach, President Weah’s consolation for Liberians was for him to ask them to look after their own security.
He accused the ruling party, CDC, of engaging in precampaign activities, which is a violation of the country’s electoral laws, stating, “the CDC is already running a campaign in the counties with money and resources that belong to the Liberian people.”
He added that the CDC-led government loots and give its citizens peanuts, cautioning Liberians that the resources out of which the governors are giving them peanuts, belong to them, and as such, the Government is doing no favors by donating to them what he described as crumbs of stolen money and resources including vehicles and motorcycles that he said will not last.
He then informed Liberians that they have a responsibility to stand up for the future of their children and posterity, saying, “if you fail to do that, then you have mortgaged the future of this country.”
He asserted that five years under a CDC government’s rule with less than one more year to go before elections, nothing has changed as promised.
“Every child, woman, man, boy and girl in this country continues to feel the economic hardship that had been created by the Weah-led administration and I can safely say that nothing is going to change,” JNB emphasized.
Regarding his assertion that with the CDC at the helm of power in the country nothing will change positively, the Unity Party Standard Bearer urged Liberians to stand up and make a decision that will better their lives and the lives of their family members.
“I come to you with a message of hope and peace, I come to you so that we can turn a new page come October 2023,” the Unity Party Standard Bearer told Liberians.
He reiterated that under the Weah-led government, the situation in the nation continues to get worse and that there is no sign of any improvement whether it is in the provision of basic services, health, or education.
Boakai: “Ask yourself this question, what has changed in my life, what has changed in Liberia, or is my life better than five years ago?”
However, JNB intoned that “in all this, I encourage you to remain resilient, strong, and courageous and take nothing in exchange for your vote.”
He’s of the belief that what he referred to as an ugly situation being experienced under the CDC-led government’s reign, would be changed at the polls in October this year, and that when he’s elected president in 2023, his leadership will bring back credibility and respect, rule of law and accountability to the governance process of Liberia.
“All looted resources will be restored to the people,” JNB vowed, and then wished Liberians “Happy New year and season’s Greetings.”
