The standard bearer of the former ruling Unity Party, Joseph Boakai says the decision to choose a running mate will not be a ‘rush decision’, because his criteria hinge on the person’s passion for the country and someone who believes in honest service to country and its citizenry.
“My Vice President should be someone who shares my vision about Liberia. It is a decision people make personally, because he or she assists the President. People can speculate what they want, but it is not a decision that anybody can push me into because we want the best for this country,” he stated.
“It is not about name and prestige. A Vice President should be someone who understands the country and knows the issues. He or she must know what the people are going through. My Vice President should believe in honest service to the country like I have always believed,” he maintained.
Boakai however promised to announce his running mate for the upcoming crucial 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections in due time but explained that his decision is geared towards avoiding repetition of the 2017 delay, when he announced then Speaker of the House of Representatives and current Margibi County, Emmanuel Nuquay as running mate three months to the polls.
Speaking during a meeting with journalists over the weekend, Boakai maintained, “A Vice President is the heart beat of the presidency which means that A Vice President can be a President anytime.”
Meanwhile, the UP-standard bearer has also assured his constituents that he is comfortable with the newly inducted Lofa County Senator, Cllr. Joseph Jallah contrary to claims and suggestions that the victory of Cllr. Jallah is of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CD) is a setback for him (Boakai) whom many believe is the political face of the county.
“It was a temptation to think that we will go and fight Jallah’s election victory. We can’t fight Jallah; he’s a son of Lofa County. He’s my nephew from the Gbandi region. His victory has nothing on my chance into the elections for the presidency. During the senatorial elections people supported their own. The Gbandi people supported their son, and I am very comfortable with Jallah being Lofa County’s Senator,” he emphasized.
Commenting on allegation about him and the All Liberia Party (ALP) political leader, Benoni Urey flying on a private jet to Nigeria on a recent trip, Boakai said, “I didn’t use government or public money. That wasn’t my first time being offered a flight by friends who respect me and want to take me to places.”
“Not because I don’t have money, so that means I don’t have friends who support and respect me. I have had offers on many occasions from friends around the world who have offered me flights to take me to places and this recent trip is just one of the many,” he added.
