The Principal/Administrator of the Haywood Mission Institute (H.M.I), Bishop Leo M. Simpson, has lauded President George M. Weah for graciously conceding defeat to his political rival, Joseph N. Boakai, in the November 14, 2023 Presidential Run-Off Election.
The Head of the Liberian West African Council (35th) Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW), said it was a noble decision by the President for conceding defeat, not just by a telephone call to the winner of the elections, but by a nationwide speech prior to official announcement of the election results by the Head of the National Elections Commission (NEC).
He said the Incumbent President Weah has set a precedent that will both strengthen our democracy and our collective efforts to deepen a culture of peace and oneness.
He said as a result of accepting the outcome of the election result, the Liberian child can be seen in the classroom today and hope has been restored, amidst fear and uncertainty as to what would have happened next if he had decided not to accept the outcome.
Bishop Simpson said President Weah has set the bar very high for the conduct of a sitting President who is defeated in a presidential election.
He noted that President Weah’s landmark concession speech will serve as a guidance for any future sitting president of Liberia who losses an election to easily accept or concede defeat.
According to him, “Given the closeness of the votes, the country was on edge and many Liberians and members of the international community were nervous about the reaction of the losing candidate.
Bishop Simpson made the assertion, Monday, November 20, 2023 at his Sinkor, Old Road office, during a major press conference with a cross section of newsmen.
He stressed further that when some African leaders are defeated in elections, they refuse to accept their defeat, but the President is a true democrat who has set a benchmark for others to follow, saying Liberians should be proud of him, adding that President Weah’s concession is the first of its kind in the history of Liberia – a sitting president accepting defeat without pre-condition.
The renowned Liberian Educator and prelate asserted the action of President Weah demonstrates a high degree of maturity, and a trend that could strengthen the democratic space in Africa.
As president Weah has always said that he is a man of peace, this was demonstrated by his concession speech that brought great relief to Liberian people, the west African region, and the World at large, describing the President as a true nationalist and patriot, and one who is concerned about the wellbeing of the people.
The bishop also stated that Liberia is gradually becoming a sweet land of liberty by the civic conduct of all political actors in the just ended 2023 Presidential Election, according to history in electoral presidential elections.
The first time that a sitting president conceded was in 1877, when President James Spriggs Payne of the Republican Party (RP) conceded defeat to President Anthony William Gardner of the True Whig Party (TWP).
