With barely eight months to the general and presidential elections in October 2023, the Chairman Emeritus of the National Patriotic Party (NPP), Cyril Allen, said he wants President George M. Weah to do what he called “arm twisting”, and take stringent measures against under-performing government officials within the coalition government.
Chief Allen is the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). NPP is a constituent member of the coalition government.
According to the NPP former chairman, the under-performing government officials need to be removed or suspended by President Weah—if the government is to be given the mantle of authority in its second-term bid.
He boasted that a lot has been done in the areas of health, education, road connectivity, infrastructure and energy.
Despite the progress made by the Coalition for Democracy Change (CDC) government, the NPP Chairman Emeritus acknowledged that more needs to be done, noting that President Weah himself needs to get stronger on government officials.
He acknowledged that some functionaries of government, who are doing quite well when it comes to their functions and operations, should be encouraged and motivated in order to do more. He cautioned them to be proactive and diligent in the discharge of their duties in the interest of the country.
He said in the coalition government there are lots of competent and qualified Liberians whom he thinks are committed and prepared to help the government in achieving its goal. According to him, these individuals should be given the chance to serve by replacing those he considers under-performing government officials.
The NPP Chairman Emeritus expressed disappointed in the National Legislature for their failure to carry out its oversight responsibility. He said some of the lawmakers will not be re-elected by the people because they have not been diligent in the discharge of their duties for which they were elected. “Some are now doing good because they are seeking re-election after neglecting the people for years,” Chief Allen observed. He however noted that all of what they are doing will not help them to get re-elected.
He revealed that the new document signed by the National Patriotic Party (NPP) will give each constituent party the opportunity to have candidates selected at primaries across the country. According to him, this will help the coalition to win more seats, as compared to the 2020 mid-term senatorial election where candidates were handpicked.
The National Patriotic Party Chairman Emeritus maintained that the citizens are confronted by serious problems, which make them unhappy with the government.