Foya, Lofa County, the hometown of Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai, Standard Bearer of the Unity Party (UP), can be said to have fallen to the politics of President George M. Weah, with residents of the town requesting that he contest the 2023 general and presidential elections, giving him their blessings and support in his quest for a second term.
The request of the Foya residents was contained in a position statement, signed by their superintendant, clan chiefs, town chiefs and paramount chiefs, including Chief Momoh Taylor, one of the most acclaimed chiefs of the county and son of the late Chief Tamba Taylor.
Even though not his father, Chief Momoh Taylor, one of the signatories of the position statement, commands a huge following among his kinsmen, and is well respected and regarded for his leadership ability and the way he interacts with his people.
For those who can recall, Chief Tamba Taylor is considered one of the greatest leaders of Lofa County, serving as Paramount Chief for over 60 years. Though he was not schooled, Chief Tamba Taylor served with distinction and his wisdom overwhelmed his kinsmen. He was always consulted by the Government of Liberia (GOL) to negotiate among the warring factions of the civil war, a task he properly carried out until the factions subscribed to the Comprehensive Accra Peace Accord, which brought the peace and stability Liberia now enjoys.
The statement, which was read on Saturday, June 5, 2021, brought together a number of town chiefs, zoes, elders, superintendents, women leaders, as well as youths and student groups. Due to the large crowd that turned out for the reading of the statement, the program was held at a stadium, instead of the town hall in Foya.
The nationwide tour of Lofa County has brought President George M. Weah face-to-face with the people of the county, clarifying that he is not angry with Lofaians, as speculated by his critics, and in return bringing him a huge dividend in his quest for a second presidential term.
During the 2017 general and presidential elections, Lofa County was the lone county that overwhelming voted against President Weah, in favor of their father, Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai. However, President Weah has expressed gratitude to the people of Lofa for the votes he accumulated from there, noting that it was that number that was added to the rest of the numbers that catapulted him to the presidency.
According to President Weah, it is not possible for him to be angry with the people of Lofa for voting for their father, as doing so would rendering him a selfish person. He said at that time Ambassador Boakai was the Vice President, and the people of Lofa were not wrong to support their father; however, Lofaians are noted for supporting sitting governments, and now he is the sitting President.
He said now that he is the sitting President, he expects that Lofa County will see him as an adopted son and support his future endeavors.
Contrary to expectations, President Weah was majestically welcomed into Lofa County, with the residents turning out in their numbers. Between Thursday, June 3, 2021 and Sunday, June 6, 2021, President Weah and entourage visited a number of places in Lofa County, including Zorzor, Fesebu, Konia, Voinjama, Quadu-Gboni, Kolahun, Foya, Baloma and Massamolahun, and held a number of town hall meetings with the residents. The President also continued with his meet-and-greet to get an insight of the real happenings in the county and to understand the plight of the people.
In Quadu-Gboni, President Weah was presented the keys of the town, and was told not to return them until during the 2023 presidential election, signifying that the people of the town have pledged to give him their support.
In Foya, after the position statement was read, President expressed his gratitude for the people, and confirmed that, indeed, Lofa has fallen.