The Joseph Nyumah Boakai (JNB) Tact Team says it is appalled by the recent statement made by Leymah Gbowee, asking Vice President Joseph Boakai to step aside from politics due to his health and age. “We find the statement to be very disingenuous, coming from a woman who is supposed to be a symbol of peace, dignity, and unity. We advise Madame Gbowee to find a more dignified way to express herself without flagrant and unnecessary disrespect to the former Vice President.
According to a press release issued by the JNB Tact Team, headed by Telia Urey, “We would like to admonish Leymah Gbowee that, if she would like to enter the political space in the country and position herself as a serious political actor, she should focus on the myriad of issues that the country is currently faced with instead of attacking a reputable statesman to get attention and media coverage. We are well aware that Madame Gbowee is doing the political bidding for a certain opposition figure, whose chances of winning the presidency are close to zero. We use this medium to warn her to immediately desist from these deceptive antics that have the propensity to destroy her image.”
The release continued, “We would also like to draw the public’s attention to Madame Gbowee’s silence on the rampant killings and violence that the country has been faced with over the years under the George Weah-led government. It baffles the Tact Team and many other Liberians why Leymah Gbowee has not used her voice to champion these causes, considering her claimed position as a ‘voice of reason’.
“Gbowee’s attention should instead also be drawn to the numerous rape cases and attacks on women in politics in the country over the past years under the Weah administration. Her silence on these attacks and the overall violence against women should be of deep concern to the world. Sadly, we hear her loudly today launching political attacks on national leaders and doing the usual ‘politicking’.
“Furthermore, the advocacy for war and economic crimes in Liberia could use a strong voice like Leymah Gbowee to strengthen its call. As an ambassador of peace, we would like to call on Madame Gbowee to raise her voice on these grave issues that threaten the peace of the country instead of playing politics with the health of His Excellency, Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai.”
The press release maintained, “Leymah Gbowee should be reminded that age is not a curse, for which one should be excluded from leadership, but it is a source of experience and wisdom needed to govern a nation like Liberia in these critical times. We find it very hypocritical that people like Leymah Gbowee would celebrate the election of Joe Biden and other leaders who are older than Ambassador Boakai, but will talk down to their own, who has been an honest and dedicated public servant his entire life.
“We would also like to remind Leymah Gbowee that Ambassador Boakai has been the lead proponent for opposition unity. He spearheaded the formation of the CPP and has been the voice of reason within the opposition community. Should Madame Gbowee want to join these efforts to unite opposition, we suggest she comes out and state her political interest and intentions.
“Our country is reeling the backlashes of bad governance and is at the brink of being a pariah state under this government. We need serious leadership and not the usual politics to free the country from this kleptocratic regime. His Excellency, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, will deliver this change, and we welcome Madame Leymah Gbowee to join ranks in this quest to save our country.”
In a related development, The Standard Bearer of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) and head of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Alexander B. Cummings, has described the recent social media post from Noble Peace Prize Winner, Leymah Gbowee, advising the Unity Party and family members of former Vice President, Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai, not to allow him to contest in the ensuring general elections due to his health as “inappropriate”.
Responding to a question on a local talk-show in Monrovia on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 about his view on Gbowee’s advice, Cummings said the advice is totally inappropriate and somehow political.
Presidential hopeful Cummings emphasized that anybody can get sick, including him, and so people should stop politicizing the sickness of Ambassador Boakai. He said he is in prayer with the former Vice President and wishes him speedy recovery.
According to him, Gbowee could have advised the former Vice President privately since, indeed, she has linked with the family, instead of her using the social media.
