The Standard Bearer of the Liberia National Union (LINU), Clarence Moniba, has expressed his hope to announce his party’s decision as to who to support in 2023 presidential run-off, in the shortest possible time.
This, the LINU Standard Bearer stated, that their decision would be without sacrificing a prudent, well thought out process, for one driven by the need to rush and announce a decision that does not necessarily stand the test of time.
Moniba was among the 20 candidates that contested for the Liberian Presidency, but failed to make it to the second round of the election, after receiving 5,298 votes, amounting to 0.29 percent of the total votes across Liberia.
According to the 2023 presidential election result released by the NEC recently, neither the CDC nor the UP secured an outright majority (50 percent plus one) of the total votes cast, resulting in a run-off election to determine the country’s next President.
As enshrined in the Constitution, the Commission then set Tuesday, November 14, 2023, as the date for the run-off and the official declaration for campaign activities before the poll.
With the results, Moniba, in a release issued yesterday, also disclosed that with the elections results being announced, his team has begun having discussions with both the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and Unity Party (UP), to determine their decision going forward.
He maintained, “Since the elections about 14 days ago and pronouncement of the results by the NEC, which qualified both the CDC and UP for the run-off, we have become aware of the fact that many of our supporters and other Liberians continue to ask us for our decision and direction for the 2nd round.
“But paramount among our many concerns is the youth-driven agenda for a new Liberia that we ran on, and to which we remain uncompromisingly committed. Specifically, we have identified the following areas to focus on during these negotiations with the two 2nd round parties,” he said.
Key among the areas of concern include major road connectivity of the counties’ capital’; Technical and Vocational Education, and Healthcare, among others, stressing that the above listed are by no means all of the issues being raised during their negotiations.
He asserted, “We will continue to discuss an economic plan that addresses the high rate of unemployment in the country, the better implementation of law and order, the fight against corruption, our fight against drugs, and the need for more stable electricity throughout the country.”
Meanwhile, the LINU Standard Bearer also said that he remains committed to the October 10, 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections results, as announced by the NEC, despite serious questions and concerns about the vote tabulations reported.
This, he added, that the results announced by the Commission further reflect the will of the majority of Liberian voters who turned out in their numbers on October 10 to cast their ballots.
The LINU leader then lauded the citizenry, his vice standard bearer, and party’s officials and supporters, who sacrificed, supported, and stood with them, adding, “Although we may not have achieved our ultimate goal this time, rest assured that, indeed, we fell forward, and we will come back better prepared.”
