By Gideon Nma Scott, Jr.
At about 11:00pm on Friday, November 17, Liberia’s incumbent President, George M. Weah, conceded defeat after the chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC) Davidetta Brown Lansanah announced that following 99.58 percent of the totally vote count, opposition leader 78 years old Joseph Boakai obtained 50.82 percent while President George Weah obtained 49.11 percent. The pronouncement of the result sent a shocking wave of fear through the veins of many persons who thought it would have been difficult for President Weah to accept such result.
The last time a sitting Liberian President lost in a reelection and conceded was, in 1877 when Anthony William Gardner of the True Whig party President James S. Payne of the Republican Party. It is alleged that Payne was self-willed, revengeful and vindictive, which by large, impacted his reelection bid negatively.
For the record, President Weah is the first president to lose a reelection attempt since the 1877, which is about 146 years ago. He is also the third sitting president in Liberia to lose a reelection attempt since James S. Payne.
Several other sitting presidents have lost a reelection attempt, but this was not during the national election, but at their party primaries. For example, in 1855, JJ Roberts lost his bid to be the fifth term after his party choose his vice president Stephen A. Benson. In 1863, after a four two-term in office, Benson lost at the Republican Party’s primary to a former vice president Daniel B. Warner who served from 1864-1868.
I believe that at the time, it was not a difficult thing to reject an incumbent vying for a reelection because government, especially the presidency, was a place for service in contrast to our present-day leaders who use the presidency for personal benefits and not the people who entrusted them with power.
Many Liberians, including opposition figure have, for the past six years, accused President George Weah and some of the key government officials, of diverting public to their personal use. The accusers alleged that, these resources were used to purchase huge properties abroad and live a lavished life style, while, the majority of the people live far below the poverty line. They threatened to prosecute the president and his officials, should he lose the election.
For this and many other reasons, the very same Weah’s accusers caged their mindset, that he would not accept any result that did not announce him as winner of the election.
To spread their fears further among the people, some claimed that President and his CDC government had intended to rig the election, and use the security against the people, should they protest against the “FAKE RESULT” that would have come out of the National Elections Commission (NEC).
So, it caught the attention of the entire country and its foreign partners as well as the sub-region when he said on the national radio, “The results announced tonight, though not final, indicate that… Boakai is in a lead that we cannot surpass. CDC (party) has lost the election, but Liberia has won. This is the time for graciousness in defeat, to put national interest above personal interest… I extend my heartfelt congratulations to President-elect Boakai, his supporters, and his campaign team. May his presidency be marked by success for all Liberians, and may our nation prosper under his leadership.”
This is the first general and presidential elections, organized and managed sole by the National Election Commission, since the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in 2018.
In conceding to Amb. Boakai, the outgoing president said, “I called to congratulate him on his victory. The Liberian people have spoken, and we have heard their voice. However, the closeness of the results reveals a deep division within our country. Let us heal the divisions caused by the campaign and come together as one nation and one united people.”
I thank you, Mr. President, for graciously accepting the will of the Liberian people and respecting their voice. You have broken the camel’s back by believing in the happiness and security of the people you serve. This is one thing most of our African leaders are confronted with, “accepting the will of the people and respecting their voice,” which you just did with an eye blink.
Your acceptance, to yield to defeat, carries with it the strength of a good statesmanship, patriotism, nationalism and moreover, the love for God, country and man. You broke the ‘lion tooth’ when the tone of violence was being chanted on the lips of some ill-fated Liberians. This is a virtuous act that must be commended.
Your acceptance also proves that you are a mature politician and leader and that our democracy is maturing. Our leaders are beginning to listen to the voice of their people who gave them the authority to lead them, and when confidence of the people shift to another option, you must respect that decision gracefully.
Mr. President, you have set the pace for other Africans and world leaders to follow; that by respecting the will of the people over your personal ego brings peace and stability, brings about healing and by large strengthens our democracy.
You have proven to the world that you are truly a man of peace whose sole desire is to see his nation prosper. I will join you in your drive to heal the nation as you have mentioned in your speech.
If I have never appreciated any of your decisions before, I fall prostrate on my face and say, “thank you for listening to the voice of the people.”
Mr. President, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for giving six years of your life and time to serve our country. All were not rosy, but I appreciate you for accepting our call to serve and leave when we decided on another option, other than you. Moreover, thank you leaving us in peace and not pieces. Shalon!!!
*The thought of the son of a professional Kru woman.
