The Unity Party has launched its campaign, putting up a strong rivalry for the pending October 10, 2023 general and presidential elections against the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC); writes Ojuku Silver-tongue Kangar Jr.
On Sunday, September 17, 2023 partisans and supporters of the Unity Party (UP) defied the torrential rainfall and turned out en mass at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) to grace the campaign launch, reaffirming their commitment not only to a regime change, but to the presidential bid of former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai.
Like the CDC a few weeks ago, supporters of the UP walked, boarded bikes and vehicles amidst a heavy downpour of rain to assemble at the ATS.
At first, the momentum of the event was poor, with critics wondering whether or not the UP had the ability to pull a crowd to fill the stadium. Not until 3:00 p.m., the thunderous crowd began to pour.
Even though less as compared to the CDC crowd on September 7, the Unity Party besieged Lynch Street and UN Drive. It was reported that there were gatherings in other counties.
As they sang and danced under the heavy rain fall, they were heard saying, “Weah go and rest, you failed us”, “You spoiling our children with kush”, “We give you six years, you misused it and turned your back on us”.
Wet and very soaked by the rain, UP partisans who spoke to the Hot Pepper said enough is enough, and that the elections will surprise President George M. Weah and his followers because they are resolved to vote out the CDC-led administration on October 10, 2023.
The Unity Party is the immediate former ruling party of the country, which took over at the ended the 14-year civil crisis and governed the country for twelve years. It lost to the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) in the 2017 presidential and legislative elections, which brought President Weah to power. While President Weah is vying for a second term to complete a 12-year rule, the UP is seeking national leadership through its former Vice President, Joseph N. Boakai, who is the Standard Bearer
According to UP stalwarts, they are in the political race to rescue Liberians from President Weah, whom they claimed lacks good governance and is without international contact.
“Since 2018 President Weah got in power, there is no investor, no job, and the living condition is worsening,” they claimed.
The Unity Party campaign launch was peaceful throughout the day, with no interference from other political parties’ supporters. However, the Hot Pepper was unable to obtain the speech of Ambassador Boakai up to press time.