By Bill W. Cooper
The political atmosphere of Liberia is said to be witnessing unusual happenings, after the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) received a significant blow to its campaign efforts ahead of the country’s highly anticipated presidential elections.
The party’s leadership has been hit with the resignation of several executive members in one of the vote-rich counties (Nimba County), further complicating their prospects for success.
The CPP, a coalition comprised of two opposition parties, namely, the Alternative National Congress (ANC) and the crisis-hit Liberty Party (LP), is considered a formidable force, with the potential to challenge the perceived two-horse race of the ruling CDC and Unity Party dominance.
As Liberians prepare to elect a new President and Vice President, as well as 15 Senators and 73 Representatives, the first sign of trouble has come with the announcement of the resignation of key executive members.
The CPP officials who resigned their respective positions are: Fong Gami-Zuagele, former Chairman and Campaign Manager, Paul Wehyee, former Liberty Party Chairman and Co- chairman of CPP campaign team in Nimba County, and Jimmy Bokay of the District 2 representative seat, among others.
The ex-leaders, according to a report from the county, stated that their resignations are the result of unfavorable working conditions within the national executive of the CPP, including in-security, as well as trust and confidence.
They complained of not being able to take decisions on their own, but rather forcibly agreeing to what the ANC National Executive says and wants to implement.
Meanwhile, the departure of those individuals has dealt a significant blow to the CPP’s organizational structure and raised questions about the party’s ability to remain united and focused.
The resignations have also sparked a sense of disarray within the CPP, as party officials scramble to fill the void left by the departed members, as the loss of those “experienced and influential” figures in Nimba has undoubtedly created challenges, in terms of regaining momentum and maintaining a strong campaign presence across the county.
Furthermore, with the nation eagerly watching and other candidates involved in active campaign activities, the CPP finds itself in a precarious position, needing to restore faith among its supporters and demonstrate a strong and united front against the ruling party.
It is essential for the party’s leadership to engage in introspection, identify the root causes behind the departures, and take concrete steps to rectify any underlying issues that may have led to the resignations.
