What was only meant as a groundbreaking for the construction of a party headquarters for the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) on Saturday turned out to be an event for the opposition and critics of the Boakai administration to showcase their dissatisfaction and disapproval in the manner in which the country is being led by President Joseph N. Boakai and Unity Party (UP).
The CDC Headquarters Construction Committee, headed by former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, had announced that the party would break ground for the construction of its headquarters on Saturday, October 18, 2025 in Oldest Congo Town, and had sent out a few invitations to prominent opposition leaders to grace the occasion, including Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe and Representative Yekeh Kolubah.
Providence being on their side, the program turned out to be much more than just a groundbreaking ceremony, with partisans and well-wishers pouring in from all nooks and crannies of the Congo Town belt to present what critics of the CDC are now describing as a “political rally”. The Liberia National Police (LNP), for the sake of stability, had to compromise their strict restrictions in designated zones against motorbikes and auto-rickshaws (keh-kehs) to avoid tension and conflict with the untamed crowd that came out to grace the occasion.
While it was apparent that some individuals slept at the groundbreaking site, momentum started to build up as early as 9:00 a.m., with partisans trooping in on foot, cars and bikes, arguably giving rebirth to a formidable movement that was now being perceived as “irrelevant”, politically discombobulated and still struggling to recover from the shocks and shackles of defeat during the 2023 presidential run-off election.
By the afternoon hours, from the EJS Ministerial complex to 72nd Boulevard intersection was dominated by the blue shirts and caps of individuals heading to or from the event site, with their heads up in pride as if it was not the party that was defeated barely two years ago.
At the event, the Koffa committee set-up a booth where partisans and supporters could make contributions toward the construction. The Hot Pepper took keen interest in partisans making payments of L$100, L$200, L$500, and so forth, as their contribution. Some individuals came with bags of cement, blocks and equipment such as shovels for the construction. A touching moment was when a man with disability, who sat in a wheelchair, made his way to the stage to make his contribution.
The CDC has grown from a mere opposition political party to a ruling party, and now former ruling party and an opposition party again. It has tasted the sympathy of being just an opposition and the wrath and criticism of being in power. It has also tasted the naivety, ignorance and novicey of being just an opposition, and the bigotry, fame and wealth in being a ruling establishment.
The party was allegedly torn apart after the election, with hierarchy members accusing one and other of being responsible for the defeat. The party almost hit its lowest ebb when its Chairman, Mulbah K. Morlu, Jr., resigned and formed a movement to stand up for the masses. This was in concomitance with several of they party’s officials being dragged to court for corruption and financial malpractices, while others had already been placed on US sanctions.
What remained of the CDC was almost just history, until the Boakai administration began the fight against the then Speaker, Cllr. Fonati Koffa, which gave birth to opposition sympathy and unity, with the likes of representatives Musa Bility, Yekeh Kolubah, senators Edwin Snowe and Amara Konneh arguing on the side of the rule of law.
The UP administration broke the straw when it decided to demolish the CDC headquarters while the case between the party and its landlord was still being heard in court. This, many say, caused CDCians to let go of their internal wranglings and became united to resist the tension emanating from the Boakai administration.
The CDC appears to have regained some trust and confidence from its partisans and those made bitter by the UP-led government, hoping to make a come-back in 2029, as the groundbreaking ceremony presented a picture of a rebranded CDC with renewed vigor and flames for redemption.
But as observed at the event, the CDC has gravitated to the stage where partisans are now printing their own T-shirts, walking to events and spending their meager resources on the party as a way of proving their loyalty and commitment to the struggle.
Under the theme, “They Break, We Build”, the project construction was boosted by pledges, donations and contributions. Senator Snowe contributed US$10,000 towards the construction, and said he was amazed by the new mindset of the CDC leadership and partisans.
Also, the CDC Legislative Caucus, headed by Senator Nathaniel F. McGill, stated that each CDC lawmaker has agreed to contribute US$5,000 towards the construction project. In addition, Montserrado County’s district #14 Representative and member of the CDC Legislative Caucus, Muka Kamara, pledged US$15,000 towards the project.
The Political Leader of the CDC and former President, George M. Weah, mounted the podium and described the event as a testament to their resolve to continue working for the Liberian people, irrespective of their political, social, or religious affiliation.
Weah lambasted the Boakai administration for the constant disregard and abuse of the rule of law, and validated that, because of this the vast majority of Liberians have shown their empathy, love and support for the CDC.
He described CDCians as rebuilders, and vowed to complete the construction of the CDC headquarters in record time, to serve as a testament that they are coming back with a renewed focus on rebuilding the country. According to him, in order to change the narrative, they are beginning with the rebuilding of their party’s headquarters.
“CDC is not in the walls of the structure but the CDC lives in our hearts and minds. So you can break the bricks; you can break the walls; but we remain standing, steadfast in our love and commitment to the ideals of our dear institution. The party is supreme,” former President Weah pointed out.
He then vowed to deliver the masses from the claws of those he described as charlatans and mountebanks, and urged every Liberian to remain hopeful as 2029 draws nearer by the time.
The groundbreaking ceremony ended successfully, with the Koffa committee revealing Professor Nidan L. Hage and team as the contractors for the project, and disclosed that construction will begin in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the CDC Headquarters Construction Committee has extended heartfelt gratitude to partisans, sympathizers, and well-wishers of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) for their presence and generous financial support at the groundbreaking ceremony, and acknowledged and thanked members of the opposition community who attended and contributed financially and materially to the project. “Your participation reflects a spirit of unity and shared national progress, for which we are grateful,” the Koffa committee observed.
The committee further emphasized its commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficient project delivery, ensuring all contributions are properly recorded and utilized toward the construction. “This headquarters is not just a building; it is a symbol of the CDC’s commitment to progress, unity, and service to the Liberian people. We invite everyone to remain engaged, monitor progress, and participate actively in making this project a success,” the committee said in a thank-you note.