With less than 11 days to the conduct of the much-anticipated run-off presidential election, slated for November 14, 2023, 10 opposition political parties’ youth leagues have endorsed incumbent President George Weah: Alternative National Congress, African Liberation League, Liberia Rebuilding Party, All Liberian Party, Liberian People’s Party, National Democratic Coalition, Liberia National Union, Liberty Party, All Liberian Coalition Party and the Movement for Progress Change.
The parties, over the weekend, were represented by their youth league chairpersons and nearly all executive members of their youth leagues.
Reading a joint statement on behalf of the parties’ youth leagues under the banner, “Consortium of Opposition Political Parties National Youth Leaders”, the Chairperson of the All Liberian Coalition Party (ALCOP), Austin B. Toe, said President George Weah, Standard Bearer of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change, remains the chosen leader and he deserves a second term.
“We the young people of the Consortium of Opposition Political Parties National Youth Leaders hereby announce, proclaim and declare to our nation and the world at large in a manner unprecedented that the election of November 14, 2023 is no more an issue, that we have found the nation’s next president and that person is no one other than His Excellency President George M. Weah,” Toe said.
He added that the run-off election is very important to the growth and future development of the country, noting that they cannot wait but make their decision known, in favor of the Liberian leader.
“The only realistic means by which we can succeed as a people is to make our country to continue on this unprecedented trajectory of development and youth empowerment,” he averred.
Toe further called on all their supporters and the young people across the country to join this national endeavor to prevent Liberia from slipping back to the hands of those he described as squanderers and economic vultures.
“Let’s ensure that President Weah is elected to the presidency of Liberia on November 14, this year, as he continues to transform the economy, give dignity to the young people, and be a witness to his massive infrastructure development,” he noted.
Some of the opposition political parties, including Liberia People Party and the All Liberian Coalition Party, have already endorsed Unity Party’s leader, Joseph Boakai, for the run-off election.
At the same time, the National Chair of the National Youth League of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change, Emmanuel Johnson, has welcomed the opposition youth leaders and termed the move as one meant to emancipate the people of Liberia from a Unity Party third-time rule.
The initiative to convince and bring on board these youth leaders to the CDC for President Weah’s re-election was an idea from the youth league of the ruling party through its arrowhead, Johnson.
“We have realized that the second face of the liberation struggle (run-off election) as announced by the National Elections Commission (NEC) would require dialogue, convincing young people, reestablishing inter-personal relationship with them and creating an environment where they feel safe,” he said.
“Long before now, these political parties have their own constitutions, bylaws and philosophy, and we are grateful to them for seeing the CDC as the only viable means to achieving the needed development and economic empowerment the Liberian people so desired,” Johnson said.
He underscored that the 11 young political leaders have decided to join the CDC and ensure President Weah is re-elected, adding that for him these are magnificent stances they have taken.
“…And because we believe that President Weah is the only President who has given many young people the national leadership role, evident by his unprecedented desire to empower more young people in national leadership role,” Johnson intoned.
The CDC Youth League boss also urged the young people to go back to their county of residence to make more disciples and ensure President Weah is re-elected for another six years, for the country and its people to continue on the path of development.
He encouraged them not to listen to whatever criticism may be coming from the opposition but to continue to preach the message about the good leadership of President Weah and how his re-election would benefit this generation and generations to come.
President George Weah obtained 840,087 of the total votes, representing 43.83%, leading the first round by a 7,000-plus vote margin.
Many Liberians who support President Weah have consistently hailed the Liberian leader for delving into infrastructure development, youth empowerment through strong education policies and investment in the road and health sectors.