Former Veep Boakai Advises CPP, Supporters

The Standard Bearer of the former ruling Unity Party (UP), is calling on members of the Coalition of Political Parties-CPP to desist from acts and utterances inimical to the survival and credibility of the CPP.Ambassador Boakai also called on opposition members to stop unwarranted attacks on leaders of the CPP, wild and unsubstantiated allegations, and dangerous speculations. Amb. Baoakai said, while it is true that in every human undertaking there are bound to be bottlenecks and hic-ups along the way.
“As a responsible opposition we have the capacity and mechanism to resolve our differences whenever and wherever they show up. We urge our supporters, sympathizers, and well-wishers to be calm as we work to resolve any differences, real or perceived,” he stated.
“Fellow Partisans and members of the CPP and fellow Liberians: Let us remain resolute and press forward to save the state,” he averred.
Amb. Boakai who just arrived from the United States of America, where he attended the Convention of the Unity Party Chapters in the Americas and held extensive consultations with friends and supporters of the party on ways and means by which they could collectively rejuvenate the Party, believed the deepest wounds of Liberians informed Liberians and other dignitaries in the diaspora about the impoverished condition of Liberians.
“One theme that was a constant thread in all our discussions was the need to heal the very deep wounds, most especially, within the party, which have led to costly divisions within the Party with devastating consequences for our nation,” he stated. “Partisans, supporters and sympathizers expressed their burning desire and undying commitment to pool their human, financial, and other resources together to ensure that the Party regains its towering stature and protect its legacy built on the foundation, values and principles of the founding fathers’ erstwhile Grand Coalition of 1985, most notably, Jackson F. Doe, Gabriel Kpolleh and Edward Kesseley,” he stated.
Am. Boakai further stated that coincidentally, these sentiments echo similar passionate expressions by a broad segment of Partisans back here in Liberia. “My fellow Partisans, as a demonstration of their sincerity and commitment, the Unity Partisans in the Americas decided to put behind them bitter divisions which kept them apart and undermined their effectiveness; they held a very successful Convention which brought together stakeholders and elected a new corps of Officers to begin the process of rebuilding and rebranding the Party,” he stated.
The UP Boss said, the Executives of the party crafted a cohesive strategy to move the Party forward. “Let me on behalf of the Unity Party once again commend them for their selflessness in putting the interest of the institution above parochial proclivities,” he stated. “My dear Partisans, we all recognize that the 2017 elections were bruising and contentious inducing serious cleavages within our party and leaving the country divided, some important members of the party who were perceived as contributing to its defeat were expelled immediately after the announcement of the elections results,” he stated.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, brothers and sisters, the time has come when we must bite the bullet, bury the hatchet, and reach out to those whom we feel have hurt us. We must do so not because we are weak, nor because they are indispensable to our progress, but because we must, as people of faith- in God and in nation- be willing to give each other a second chance for redemption. As a Christian and a devout Baptist, I have learned to trust in God and allow Him to fight my battles,” he disclosed.
“In my public life, I have always strived to be a man of peace and a servant dedicated to working assiduously and selflessly to making our beloved Country, Liberia, great. This I intend to do as long as God continues to give me the strength and wisdom. No sacrifice for me is too great a price to pay for peace and reconciliation,” he stated.
“In this connection, I wish to announce that I have personally forgiven all who, by design or omission have offended me and ask them to do the same. I hold no malice toward any Partisan. I also appeal to all Partisans, home and abroad, to do the same and initiate true reconciliation at all levels of the Party. To the rank and file of the Party, I further ask that you accept the ruling of the National Elections Commission regarding the expelled members and I direct the legal team of the Party to resolve any and all outstanding legal issues,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Boakai is calling on the party executives and members to reform the party at least to give the party a new phenomenon. “In this connection, I propose the convening very soon of an Extra-ordinary Convention of the Party to deliberate urgent matters and take appropriate actions to set an irreversible path of reconciliation and rejuvenation of the Party; we must turn a new page and initiate meaningful and pragmatic reforms in the Party to become more robust, effective, and efficient in responding to our new political reality and the needs and aspirations of the Liberian People,” he stated.
“With respect to the Collaborating Political Parties, I wish to remind my colleagues and all members of the CPP, that the outpouring of support and embrace of the public clearly demonstrates that Liberians need and yearn for true, genuine, selfless and patriotic leadership. By pledging to work together, we have given hope to our people and have reassured Liberia’s international partners that we are prepared to place Liberia above all else,” he averred.