Former Vice President and Standard Bearer of the Unity Party (UP), Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai, has emphasized that he will not be a vice president to anyone; therefore, in the case where he fails to secure the standard bearer position of the Collaborating Political Party (CPP) he will quietly step aside and continue to support the collaboration, but will not agree to become anyone’s vice running mate.
Ex-Vice President Boakai noted that he was Vice President under former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for twelve years, and so he is not prepared to become second to anyone, not in the CPP or anywhere else.
He pointed out that his support to the CPP if defeated at the convention will be based on whether the collaboration followed and implemented all the ground rules specified within the CPP’s framework. He however expressed optimism of being elected as the standard bearer of the CPP.
In the case where he feels the framework of the CPP was compromised, Ambassador Boakai said that will serve as a sufficient ground for withdrawing his support, noting that he is hopeful that the CPP will not fall apart for not following procedures agreed upon by all member-parties.
Speaking about his relationship with former President Sirleaf, Ambassador Boakai said he and his former boss are on good footing, as their differences have been long settled. He said Madam Sirleaf is a member of the Unity Party (UP), and she supports the party in all its endeavors.
Surprisingly, Ambassador Boakai maintained that they failed to implement well during their twelve years in power—squandering lots of opportunities that could lift the country and its people out of poverty.
He said with the contacts and opportunities they had, they could have done a lot more for Liberia, but there were many persons in government who were not implementing their agenda, including many cabinet ministers. He lamented that a number of his recommendations to the Presidency were not heeded to by President Sirleaf, thereby making him a racing car parked in the garage.