The first convention of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), which adopted its by-laws and constitution and elected and inducted officials into office to stir the party’s affairs, has branded the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) regime as a government not delivering.
“The term ‘419’ has been used to indicate someone saying one thing and meaning the other,” Dr. Daniel Cassell said, berating the CDC-led administration for allegedly making promises and not fulfilling them. Dr. Cassell made the disclosure during his acceptance message as the party’s standard bearer who won on white ballot. “…Saying I am going to do this for you and never coming through. He has promised the Liberian people through his pro-poor agenda that the poor masses were going to be alleviated from their suffering, but we have not seen those things,” he stated.
“The economy was going to be promoted. Four years has ended and we are about to go to the fifth year,” the PLP’s Political leader said.
A party established on December 21, 2020, the PLP’s convention, held at Cassell’s Estate, Margibi County, brought together delegates, candidates and observers from the fifteen subdivisions of Liberia on Saturday and Sunday. It adopted its by-laws and constitution and elected officials, who were inducted into office by Dr. Cassell, to stir the party’s affairs. Dr. Cassell won the standard bearership on white ballot; likewise, the National Chairman-elect, Tapple E. Doe, and seventeen others won on white ballots.
Officials elected on white ballot and inducted into office are David G. Benitoe, National Vice Chair for International Affairs, Bernard Benson Sr., National Vice Chair for Recruitment & Mobilization, Alphanso D. Bindah, National Vice Chair for Operation, Henry Darbee Blama, Vice Chair for Administration for Youth Assembly, Daniel Harris Gayou, National Secretary General, Chernor M. Jalloh, National Vice Chair for Auxiliaries, Snoh W. Jarbah, Chair for National Women Assembly, Kalifala Kromah, Vice Chair for Media Relations & Publicity, Marvis P. Massaquoi, Vice Chair for Operation for Women Assembly, and Korto Massaquoi, Vice Chair for Religious Affairs for Women Assembly, Rosetta L. M.. Mensah, National Vice Chair for People with Disability, Dehkortee Sheriff, Vice Chair for Mobilization & Recruitment for Women Assembly, Akimi Rose Toe, National Vice Chair for Gender and Social Development, Kelvin Volar, Secretary General for National Youth Assembly, and Abraham B. Zarlee, Sr., Vice Chair for Religious Affairs.
Three persons, Lorenzo Weah, Hastings N. Gbarmon, Jr. and Tonzeah N. Zarwolo, contested for the post of National Youth Assembly of the party. Sixty-eight persons voted: Gbarmon got 6 vote casts, Weah 17, and Zarwolo 42, making him the Chairman of the party’s National Youth Assembly.
Before the voting process commenced, Acting National Chairman of the party, Tapple E. Doe, who was also vying for the National Chairman seat, recused himself from authority over the process, thereby passing the gravel of authority to David G. Benitoe, Acting National Vice Chair for International Affairs. Doe returned to take authority of the convention after the he was elected National Chairman of the PLP.
The first day of the convention, Saturday, was marred by violence and confusion, disrupting the first electioneering process. Some partisans sustained wounds on their heads and bodies, and some were severely beaten. The party’s General Policy Commission decided after the incident that on Sunday only candidates, delegates and observers will be allowed to participate in the election, excluding disgruntled militants and those partisans who disrupted the process earlier.
Before the election on Sunday, Dr. Cassell clarified that the action carried out by some partisans on Saturday was not in the interest of the party’s norm, observing that before an individual holds position in the party he or she must have spent three months or above, and must have impeccable character, which every member is aware of. He said they do not want to entrust anyone with position who has not been scrutinized.
“For partisans who are aware of this to protest that Alphonso Bernard should be denied was disrespectful to the party,” Dr. Cassell said.
During the adoption of the party’s constitution, the party’s chairman began its reading and Dr. Cassell ended it. In order that it may be accepted, printed and shared among leaders and members and form part of the party’s document, Bong County’s Chairman, Jerry K. Kollie, raised a motion, which was seconded by Nimba County’s PLP Chairman, Armstrong Selekpor.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Cassell said, “Fellow partisans and compatriots, with your unflinching support, I pledge to do the best of my ability to accentuate our dear PLP to noble and enviable heights. I shall work tirelessly to make out party second to none within the Republic of Liberia. As Vision Bearer and Standard Bearer, I shall uphold the trust and confidence you have reposed in me, and my leadership shall uphold the vision of the PLP as the foremost priority and together institutionalize our party with a deep sense of purpose, ownership, hard work, determination, probity, accountability, integrity, inclusion, togetherness, humility, unity, love, peace, patriotism, and nationalism. And with will and courage, we shall work with a sense of duty and purpose to nationalize the PLP—thus ensuring the presence of our dear party in every county, city, town, village, hamlet, and home across the length and breadth of our country, Liberia. To the task bestowed upon us, I assure you, that God being our helper, we shall keep the charge much to your delight.
“Fellow Partisans and compatriots, more than ever before, our country is at a critical junction and in dying need for a visionary, responsible, accountable, credible, qualified, experienced, mature, sensitive, progressive, proactive, responsive, reliable, compassionate, and God-fearing national leadership. Liberia and Liberians are yearning and wailing for a much better and decent national leadership. Our people are craving for a new brand of selfless, noble, kind, erudite, savvy, pragmatic, humble, and honorable leaders who will summon the audacity beyond all odds to liberate our country and citizens from the lethargies of the historical depravity our country has and continues to painfully be endured.
“Consequently, the point must be emphasized and heralded at large that Liberians are sick and tired of being stuck in this endless vicious circle of bad governance, rampant corruption, impunity, abuse of power, extreme poverty, joblessness, bad health care system, substandard educational system, conflict of interest in government, partisanship, tribalism, regionalism, nepotism, patronage governing system, malice, political witch-hunting, insecurity amongst other historical anomalies and contradictions that continue to woefully plague our country. When will this evil circus end? For how long will Liberians stumble in dangers?
“Distinguished partisans and compatriot of the Masses PLP, for almost two centuries, the majority of the Liberian people have been callously deprived, mortified, subjugated, and subjected to persistent suffering by one reputable and wicked government from one administration to another. This national degeneracy must be stopped for once and the country recalibrated on a value system that engenders hope, optimism, humanity, decency, integrity, compassion, love, and peace.
“Today, we painstakingly watch the current ruling establishment of President George Manneh Weah without any measure of remorse, shamefully loots and plunders the inadequate resources of our country and submerges our people down the boiling pit of extreme economic hardship and disparagement.
“Today, under the watch of Mr. Weah we see corruption and impunity institutionalized within our governing system. We see insecurity being normalized with the picnicking rise in mysterious and ritualistic killings within Monrovia and across the country. We see young kids hooked on bad drug substances exchanging gunfire with police forces. We see our young girls seeking survival in the dangerous act of prostitution which is fast claiming their precious lives. We see poverty on the rise and curable diseases decimating our people while Mr. Weah and his friends at the helm of power are living garishly and displaying absolute opulence in the full glare of the hungry and afflicted citizenry.
“Today, we see the current draft 2022 national budget which is presently before the legislature riddled with fraud and discrepancies. The draft 2022 budget failed yet again to address or encapsulate the socio-economic needs and aspirations of the Liberian people and fall short of emphasizing priority areas like agriculture, health care, education, tourism and entertainment, infrastructure, and capital developments. Instead, that budget seeks to enrich the President and his confidants as it has always been since the ascent of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) to power. What a shame and disgrace for a group of people who told us they were coming to effect a “CHANGE” in the political system through the so-called “Pro-Poor Agenda and put an end to the decades of perennial misrule, but evidently turned out to be complete 419 or hoax.
“Fellow partisans and compatriots, ladies and gentlemen, Liberia must be liberated from this spelling paralysis. Our country must be reclaimed and redeemed from this perennial scourge of bad governance and self-indulgence. Liberians deserve better. They too have the right to better socioeconomic conditions and live-in dignity as the Almighty God has abundantly endowed with a overabundance of natural resources, which, if harnessed smartly, credibly, and accountably, Liberia can be a paradise on earth. Liberia, our dear country deserves to be governed with integrity, accountability, transparency, dignity, and with the utmost proficiency for economic growth and infrastructural development to be realized. So, in effect, my dear friends, SOUND LEADERSHIP is what Liberia needs at this critical juncture. And may I say Leadership is essentially quintessential to forward March of any nation, and at the moment, that is lacking in our country. “Today, with the God of truth and justice watching upon us from above and before you the gallant and courageous people of Liberia, I declare with faith and courage that the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) is truly the party of the people. It is the party that understands the historical abnormalities and contradictions the country battles, and PLP certainly has the ideological, professional, and intellectual potencies and competencies as well as the political will and patriotic wherewithal to usher Liberia into a new paradigm shift of social transformation.” See full speech below.
DR. CASSELL’S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH AS STANDARD BEARER OF THE PLP
NOVEMBER 28, 2021
Dignitaries, invited political parties, clergy members, local county officials, and other guests gracing this occasion:
The Fourth Estate (Press);
Fellow Liberians here at home in Liberia and those in the diaspora following via live stream; Ladies and Gentlemen;
Fellow Compatriots and dear Partisans, from across the broad spectrum of the beautiful geography of Liberia, bring you warmth tidings, love, peace, and respect.
First and foremost, I would like to thank the Almighty God without Whom this auspicious and historic convention would not have been possible. To The Great Jehovah, we express our most profound gratitude, and we humbly pray his Holy Presence and grace rests upon us throughout this historic and resounding moment, and throughout our historic political sojourn.
Fellow partisans and compatriots, with the holding of our first-ever convention to elect and induct into office our ranking officials to gallantly and progressively stair the affairs of our Party, the indomitable People’s Liberation Party (PLP) has daringly shifted the paradigm of politics in the body politics of the history of our country. I, therefore, congratulate all partisans of this crusading Liberian Liberation Movement and offer my salute to all who have worked diligently and unrelenting to usher our dear party into history. Indeed, this is a milestone that cannot be quantified by any measure, and we shall forever relish this magnificent piece of history.
Dear partisans and comrades of the Liberation crusade, in this historic and extraordinary convention, you overwhelmingly petitioned me through your unanimous vote to lead our dear party as Vision Bearer and Standard Bearer respectively. With profound honor and much delight, I hereby declare on this fateful day of 28 November 2021 that I wholeheartedly accept to be the humble Leader of our dear PLP.
On behalf of my family and in my own name, I express much thanks and appreciation for the honor you bestowed upon me and the trust and confidence you have courageously reposed in me to lead the PLP to a destiny of prosperity.
Fellow partisans and compatriots, with your unflinching support, I pledge to do the best of my ability to accentuate our dear PLP to noble and enviable heights. I shall work tirelessly to make out party second to none within the Republic of Liberia. As Vision Bearer and Standard Bearer, I shall uphold the trust and confidence you have reposed in me, and my leadership shall uphold the vision of the PLP as the foremost priority and together institutionalize our party with a deep sense of purpose, ownership, hard work, determination, probity, accountability, integrity, inclusion, togetherness, humility, unity, love, peace, patriotism, and nationalism. And with will and courage, we shall work with a sense of duty and purpose to nationalize the PLP—thus ensuring the presence of our dear party in every county, city, town, village, hamlet, and home across the length and breadth of our country, Liberia. To the task bestowed upon us, I assure you, that God being our helper, we shall keep the charge much to your delight.
Fellow Partisans and compatriots, more than ever before, our country is at a critical junction and in dying need for a visionary, responsible, accountable, credible, qualified, experienced, mature, sensitive, progressive, proactive, responsive, reliable, compassionate, and God-fearing national leadership. Liberia and Liberians are yearning and wailing for a much better and decent national leadership. Our people are craving for a new brand of selfless, noble, kind, erudite, savvy, pragmatic, humble, and honorable leaders who will summon the audacity beyond all odds to liberate our country and citizens from the lethargies of the historical depravity our country has and continues to painfully be endured.
Consequently, the point must be emphasized and heralded at large that Liberians are sick and tired of being stuck in this endless vicious circle of bad governance, rampant corruption, impunity, abuse of power, extreme poverty, joblessness, bad health care system, substandard educational system, conflict of interest in government, partisanship, tribalism, regionalism, nepotism, patronage governing system, malice, political witch-hunting, insecurity amongst other historical anomalies and contradictions that continue to woefully plague our country. When will this evil circus end? For how long will Liberians stumble in dangers?
Distinguished partisans and compatriot of the Masses PLP, for almost two centuries, the majority of the Liberian people have been callously deprived, mortified, subjugated, and subjected to persistent suffering by one reputable and wicked government from one administration to another. This national degeneracy must be stopped for once and the country recalibrated on a value system that engenders hope, optimism, humanity, decency, integrity, compassion, love, and peace.
Today, we painstakingly watch the current ruling establishment of President George Manneh Weah without any measure of remorse, shamefully loots and plunders the inadequate resources of our country and submerges our people down the boiling pit of extreme economic hardship and disparagement.
Today, under the watch of Mr. Weah we see corruption and impunity institutionalized within our governing system. We see insecurity being normalized with the picnicking rise in mysterious and ritualistic killings within Monrovia and across the country. We see young kids hooked on bad drug substances exchanging gunfire with police forces. We see our young girls seeking survival in the dangerous act of prostitution which is fast claiming their precious lives. We see poverty on the rise and curable diseases decimating our people while Mr. Weah and his friends at the helm of power are living garishly and displaying absolute opulence in the full glare of the hungry and afflicted citizenry.
Today, we see the current draft 2022 national budget which is presently before the legislature riddled with fraud and discrepancies. The draft 2022 budget failed yet again to address or encapsulate the socio-economic needs and aspirations of the Liberian people and fall short of emphasizing priority areas like agriculture, health care, education, tourism and entertainment, infrastructure, and capital developments. Instead, that budget seeks to enrich the President and his confidants as it has always been since the ascent of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) to power. What a shame and disgrace for a group of people who told us they were coming to effect a “CHANGE” in the political system through the so-called “Pro-Poor Agenda and put an end to the decades of perennial misrule, but evidently turned out to be complete 419 or hoax.
Fellow partisans and compatriots, ladies and gentlemen, Liberia must be liberated from this spelling paralysis. Our country must be reclaimed and redeemed from this perennial scourge of bad governance and self-indulgence. Liberians deserve better. They too have the right to better socioeconomic conditions and live-in dignity as the Almighty God has abundantly endowed with a overabundance of natural resources, which, if harnessed smartly, credibly, and accountably, Liberia can be a paradise on earth. Liberia, our dear country deserves to be governed with integrity, accountability, transparency, dignity, and with the utmost proficiency for economic growth and infrastructural development to be realized. So, in effect, my dear friends, SOUND LEADERSHIP is what Liberia needs at this critical juncture. And may I say Leadership is essentially quintessential to forward March of any nation, and at the moment, that is lacking in our country.
Today, with the God of truth and justice watching upon us from above and before you the gallant and courageous people of Liberia, I declare with faith and courage that the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) is truly the party of the people. It is the party that understands the historical abnormalities and contradictions the country battles, and PLP certainly has the ideological, professional, and intellectual potencies and competencies as well as the political will and patriotic wherewithal to usher Liberia into a new paradigm shift of social transformation.
Today, I declare that I, Dr. Daniel Estrada Cassell, a humble son from the mountains and plateaus, and the evergreen forest of Lofa county, a true and humble son of the soil has the competencies, skills set, the patriotic spirit, passion, tenacity, and political will to deliver to my country Liberia and fellow countrymen the change they long desire.
For us, the PLP is more than a political party. It is a political institution and a national movement meant to rally all our people behind the singular cause of liberating our country from the perilous course on which it has vaguely tarried for almost two centuries. Our desire to seek national leadership mostly stemmed from our inner and emotional quest to end the unjustified and imposed long-suffering of our people and move on to put socio-economic dignity upon citizens for once. Our desire for national leadership is also anchored on love for our country and the searing passion to transform it into a place of modern infrastructure, economic growth, decency, and prosperity.
I, therefore, extend a hand of friendship to all Liberians, at home, and within the diaspora, and invite you on the PLP bandwagon for genuine liberation and transformation. PLP represents the real change that every patriotic and nationalistic Liberian desires. The PLP is truly the masses movement where the people significantly matter and are positioned front and center of this national struggle. It is my fervent prayer and plead that you all will join the PLP Movement in this unyielding and selfless struggle for a new Liberia in which ALL LIBERIANS, NOT THE ELITE FEW shall have a space and share in the opportunities and possibilities the country can provide when we assume the gable of authority.
Finally, thanks to all our good friends from other political parties who honored our invitation to grace this historic and reverberating convention. We are exceedingly grateful and owe you a depth of gratitude.
To our partisans and other Liberians here and in the diaspora, I assure you from the bottom of my heart, WE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. The PLP is a force for good and is here to stay and until the dawn of socio-economic liberation, we shall remain standing.
I thank you and Peace be with you all.
And may God Almighty bless and safe our homeland, Liberia.