What Is The Problem With Our Political Parties?

By Atty Philip N. Wesseh (PNW)

On Wednesday of this week, someone asked why I was not at my friend Benoni Urey, Chairman of the Collaborating Political Party (CPP) press conference, as it was being attended by Media Gurus. My only response was that maybe he has reasons why neither I nor the institution was invited to the conference.
Unsurprisingly, the story made major headlines in several newspapers, mainly focusing on the issue that the CPP would endorse the candidacy of the Standard Bearer of the Unity Party (UP),

Amb Joseph Boakai, during the next Presidential Election in 2023. Prior to that disclosure, it was speculated that Mr. Alexander Cummings

is also eyeing the standard Bearer post for the CPP.

The CPP comprises four opposition political parties- the Unity Party (UP) of Amb. Joseph Boakai, the All Liberian Party (ALP) of

Benoni Urey, the Alternative National Congress (ANC) and the Liberty Party of the late Cllr. Charles Brumskine. The group came into being following the 2017 Presidential Elections, with the sole purpose of “SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE.” It is also envisaged that another key purpose of the group is to work together to avoid a crowded field by rallying around particular candidates.

Truly to this objective, since it was founded, it has been collaborating and speaking jointly not severally, as we say in law, on issues of national issues. Interestingly, since the time of the recent by-election in Grand Cape Mount County, it was observed that things are gradually falling apart, something that may lead to the disintegration of the CPP.

Besides, Wednesday’s press conference by Mr. Urey has exacerbated or heightened fears that the CPP, as a group may soon fade away because of differences. Since then, there have been mixed reactions. Some feel by letting the cat out of the bag does not augur well for the CPP. Howbeit, for this piece, I would not join in this kind of discussion as to whether or not it was right to let the cat out of the bag at this time.
I have repeatedly said, given our idiosycrancies, there and would always be differences, but what matters is how we manage or resolve those differences by finding a common ground to remain united and cohesive like the unlike poles of magnet.

Over the years, I have observed and continue to observe that whenever political parties come together, their existence is always ephemeral. It can be recalled that during the 1997 General Elections won by former President Charles Taylor, some political parties came together to form a united force against Mr. Taylor, the former leader of the defunct National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL).

Later, the Alliance which featured former Senator

Cletus Wotorson as its Standard Bearer disintegrated, thus increasing the strength of Mr. Taylor who ran on the ticket of the National Patriotic Party (NPP),

which is presently part of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).

This confusion in these parties at the time, angered some citizens, who as a way of venting their anger, demonstrated by saying, ”you kill my ma; you kill my pa; I will vote for you.” Obviously, these disenchanted or frustrated citizens did not lend support to the Alliance.

Nauseatingly, recently it was reported that the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is “CRACKING”. A portion of the story carried by this paper this week reads:

“The Ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is at the verge of being disintegrated with reports of its members expressing disenchantments over what is termed as consistent violation of the agreement that propelled political marriage just within two years out of their six constitutional years given the coalition by the people of Liberia.

“The ruling Coalition is comprised of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) of former Footballer George Manneh now President of the Republic of Liberia; the National Patriotic Party (NPP) founded by Former and jailed President Charles Taylor now being headed by his Wife, Madam Jewel Howard,

Vice President of the Republic of Liberia and Liberia Democratic Party of Liberia (LDPL) of former House Speaker, J. Alex Tyler.

“High placed sources within the Coalition informed the Inquirer that two members of the Collaborating parties namely, the NPP and LDPL reportedly signed a resolution to back-off from the Coalition.
“According to our sources, the Congress for Democratic Change’s Standard Bearer George Weah is not relating to LDPL in terms of employment; every recommendation made by the party often ignored by those having access to the presidency.

“The most recent one is the news of the National Retreat which was recently postponed due to gas shortage. If we are sincerely anticipating to have a national retreat to reconcile our differences as being indicated in the media, don’t you, every member of the coalition should have been part of the planning process? Unfortunately, it would be strange to hear that we are not in the know,” an official who begged not to be named confided.

“Our sources also lamented that one of the reasons for them leading to their decisions disengage from the political marriage is the issue of the constant disrespect being shown to NPP’s Standard Bearer and Vice President by a media institution owned and operated by a member of the Executive without a word of condemnation coming from the Executive.

I always support the issue of merger or coalition, as well as the collaboration of political parties, but I have come to realize that this is not workable in our society. Normally the parties would start well, but later they would disintegrate or break up, thus weakening their resolve. What is causing my blood to boil in me is this latest information about the CDC.

I am wondering why those in the driver’s seat cannot hold together. The cardinal reason why I support collaboration, merger or coalition is to help reduce the number of political parties during the electoral process.

Fundamentally, there is no difference in the political philosophies or manifestoes of these many parties, therefore, coming together is necessary. Perhaps, the only difference would be the slogans of these parties.
For example, during the 2017 run-off election between the then ruling Unity Party (UP) of Amb. Joseph Boakai and the CDC of President George Weah, who I referred to in one of my articles as “The Battle Of Two Neighbors,” the UP’s slogan was “THINK LIBERIA, LOVE LIBERIA AND BUILD LIBERIA,” while CDC was “CHANGE FOR HOPE.”

This headline, “The Battle Of Two Neighbors,” was admired by the late Zenu Miller. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

As I close this non-controversial piece, and continue to internalize, I still cannot find reasons for this. Whether it is because of power greed, selfishness, intolerance or self-aggrandizement, this is something for anybody’s guess.

I Rest My Case