No doubt, the generality of Liberians has concluded that a Boakai-Cummings ticket is the most effective and strategic political formula to end the unpopular George Weah presidency in 2023, an election that is said to be the most critical and definable presidential election for Liberia’s recent political and democratic history.
Even Liberians on the other side of the political divide, including the ranks and file of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), have conceded in private that a Boakai-Cummings would no doubt generate the political stamina to convincingly crush the CDC on the first round of the much-talked-about 2023 general and presidential elections. This view is principally solidified by two reasons: firstly, Joe Boakai is extremely popular and possesses the integrity befitting of the highest office, whereas Alexander Cummings, a rising political star, has sufficiently established and consolidated himself in the politics of Liberia and has the financial prowess and international connections to facilitate or bankroll a campaign that will match incumbent George Weah proportionally; secondly, political pundits and commentators are of the view that the popularity of Weah and his government have excessively diminished due to bad governance, rampant corruption, increased economic hardship plaguing the citizenry, zero investment, lack of jobs, insecurity, gross ineptitude, constant scandals, and a potential eminent split that may rock the CDC downward spiral, amongst others.
However, Liberians are becoming furious by the day that the opposition itself is not helping the situation; instead, making matter worse in its inability to forge a united front that will send George Weah and his poodles packing through the exit door of the presidency.
Amid this growing frustration, the Hot Pepper has launched an independent investigation into why and who is blocking or stonewalling the realization of the desired Boakai-Cummings ticket.
Both Boakai and Cummings camps have been trading blames for the appalling disintegration of the CPP, much to the displeasure of the Liberian people.
Some have been peddling the view that Boakai as an elderly and experienced statesman has not done enough to convince Cummings to stand down and join the ranks as vice running mate to him.
But in its independent investigation, the Hot Pepper has reliably gathered that in mid-2021 the Unity Party Standard Bearer, Joseph N. Boakai, invited his ANC counterpart, Alexander Cummings, to his home and asked him to run with him as his Vice Presidential candidate. The meeting, according to unimpeachable sources, lasted for three hours with both men locked in the room alone. Boakai, after the meeting, called a few of his confidants in his study where the meeting was held and in a rather disappointing mood divulged to them that Cummings had turned down his offer to go as running mate to him.
“I tried for the last three hours, trying to convince Alexander to look at the big picture, which is the interest of our country but he would not listen. He looked into my face and said he was equally interested in the presidency and would instead want me to be his Vice President. I thought he was joking at first, but after hours of persuasion he remained adamant and uncompromising, that he is not willing to be second to me. I respect his views and right to hold and advance his political ambition, but it is equally important for him to recognize that I am his senior politically and I worked my way up the ladder. I earned my strides and he earned his in the most proper way. I have the needed experience that is required for the highest office, unlike him, who is just coming to this game. I am willing to work with him and help him learn the statecraft and, hopefully, succeed me thereafter. I think he is a great and passionate person, but he has to learn to wait for his time,” Boakai told his confidants following the three-hour-long meeting that ended in a deadlock.
Cummings was escorted to the meeting with only his security guards, whom he will understandably not brief about the discussions held with Boakai. However, it remains unknown as to whether he fully briefed executives of the ANC about the meeting and the overtures Boakai made to him.
So, contrary to what people think that Boakai has made no effort towards the realization of the Boakai-Cummings ticket, the Hot Pepper has established that Boakai has actually made effort to form a ticket with Cummings in adherence to the call and aspersions of their supporters who are desirous of a united and formidable ticket matched against the CDC in 2023.
So, Liberians are left to wonder why would Cummings refuse to run as Vice President to Joe Boakai, knowing Boakai has the numbers and the stakes at play. More details in subsequent editions.