By Alex Yomah
The Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium with its surroundings was nothing compared to an ocean view as supporters of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) were seen wearing blue outfits, demonstrating support for the CDC’s Montserrado County senatorial candidate, Thomas Fallah, and District #9 By-Election candidate, Saah Frank Foko for the midterm Dec.8 election.
The gathering which brought over thousands of citizens together marked the official launch of the CDC campaign in Montserrado County barely a week after the National Elections Commission declared campaign opened.
During the program, supporters witnessed the advent of Liberia’s financier, Samuel D. Tweah and the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill who led huge supporters from separate directions trooping to the Stadium.
Speaking at the campaign rally, President George Manneh Weah reiterated calls that Montserrado County is the stronghold of the ruling coalition, noting that partisans must exert all efforts to recapture the county.
The Liberian leader reminded partisans that there is no way the CDC can lose Montserrado County for the second time, stating that losing Montserrado would mean the downfall of the ‘almighty CDC’.
President Weah stated further that Montserrado is precious to the CDC because it is the fulcrum of the CDC. “It is where I was born; and it is where the ruling party gave birth,” he said.
He lifted the hands of Rep. Thomas Fallah and Saah Foko as the party’s official candidates in Montserrado County for the ensuing Dec. 8 race.
Speaking earlier, sen. Saah Joseph encouraged President George Weah to stay away from the 2020 senatorial campaign, alleging that Senator Abraham Dillon boasted that the CDC could put together he with likes of Acarous Gray, Mulbah Morlu, Jefferson Koijee he( Dillon) will defeat in any given elections.
“ Mr. President, you taught us politics; you took me from the refugee camp to lead the George Weah’s vocational school; you asked me to contest in District 13 in which I won; you again asked to replace you to represent Montserrado County which is leading today ;I was appointed as campaign chairman for Montserrado County 2020 senatorial race and I can assure Mr. President, we will expect nothing like a landslide victory,” Joseph said.
“I’m vowing that if CDC does not win this election, I will not contest in 2023,” Sen. Joseph asserted.
CDC Chairman Mulbah Morlu also said on Dec 9, either he or Dillon will lose job noting that if he does not win to put Senator Abraham Darous Dillon out of job he will resign as chairperson of the Ruling Coalition for Democratic Change.
Also speaking, candidate Thomas Fallah narrated his beginning as a mere plank seller to stakeholder is because of President George Weah.
According to him, the Liberian leader gave him his first try as plank seller in 2005 to contest the representative post at a time when he couldn’t have afforded secondary or tertiary school fees and he succeeded.
“He again has asked me to advance his confidence reposed in me to contest the ensuing Senatorial Election. Mr. President, I will not let you down,” Rep. Fallah said.
According to him, if he wins, vowed to ensure government’s Pro-poor agenda implemented by promoting development, credibility, integrity, transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, Liberia’s Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor boycotted the official launch of the ruling party’s campaign launch. The Vice President was neither seen at her usual position nor was she mentioned anywhere in the program.
This paper’s observation was triggered by the leadership of the CDC’s refusal to recognize Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor. Reason leading to VP Taylor’s absence was not revealed by authorities at the program.