The Standard Bearer of the Unity Party (UP), Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai, has announced the Senator of Nimba County and Political Leader of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), Jeremiah Kpang Koung, as his running mate for the 2023 general and presidential elections, describing him as young, energetic and with the ability to relate to the younger generation.
“The man I have chosen today is young, energetic, and relates to the younger generation. At age 45, he connects with a generation whose denial and abuse have rendered them helpless and without hope but he did not allow the challenges of his youth to defy his ambition. With every challenge he sought to discover the immense possibilities that our country could offer. His early childhood was difficult but he endured selling fish at 12, gasoline and engaging in petty business but eventually rose to the heights of a leading Liberian businessman in thriving Ganta, Nimba County,” Ambassador Boakai stated.
Speaking at the event marking the announcement of his running mate at the headquarters of the Unity Party (UP), Broad Street, on Friday, April 28, 2023, Ambassador Boakai said, “Today after several years, months, weeks and days of intensive consultations, alignments, realignments, vetting and soul-searching we have come to announce Rescue Two, our partner for the ensuing October 10, 2023 presidential elections in our mission to rescue Liberia.”
The UP Standard Bearer underscored, “In our search, we interacted with a lot of qualified and committed Liberians and foreign partners, sought guidance and advice on how we can address the hemorrhaging leadership deficit in our country, and we would like to thank everyone for their service, support and commitment to our country. We can assure everyone of a leadership of inclusion. There’s much to offer in the coming campaign and the future government when we earn the confidence of the people of Liberia.
“In my search for a running mate, I sought to find someone who would join me as a partner and build a dedicated team of leaders to rescue our country. I wanted someone young and energetic who will commit to integrity and accountability in governance, commit to reconciling and healing our country, and who by their early upbringing understands and connects with a youthful generation and nation still traumatized by war and denial but yet is an example to success. And more importantly, someone who knows and experienced how it feels to live in a nation with no hope. Let me assure you that the person I did not look for is a sinless angel. However, that person must be one who understands the suffering of our people and is willing to rescue them.
“Our search for a running mate, as I said earlier, was not a search for a sinless angel but a real human being whose imperfection and belief in God compels him into seeking redemption and imbibes the humility and willingness to work with a team that will make our country better, one who understands that life is about people not self, one who knows that collective progress will create a vibrant society and enhance opportunities for all.”
He then announced Senator Koung as his choice of a running mate for the ensuing election. “It is, therefore, my pleasure to announce Senator Jeremiah Koung of Nimba County as my choice for running mate in this year’s presidential and legislative elections.
“Fellow Liberians, partisans of this great alliance, well-wishers and supporters, I now have the honor to present to you Senator Jeremiah Kpan Koung as the next Vice President of Liberia,” he noted.
In response, Senator Koung accepted the honor of becoming the running mate of Ambassador Boakai and the vice presidential candidate of the Unity Party in the 2023 elections. He said, “Honorable Boakai, I accept this honor to serve our country. This is a dream to me, but I am here for one simple reason: I love Liberia, I think Liberia and I am determined to work with all Liberians to build Liberia.”
He expressed humility for his selection, and said he wants to be tutored by a man whose life of integrity and honesty is exemplary. He noted that his selection is a manifestation of Ambassador Boakai’s commitment to transition national leadership to a youthful generation whose success can be an example to others.
The vice presidential hopeful then submitted to the wisdom and experience of Benoni Wilfred Urey, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon and many others whose commitment and loyalty to country, he said, made all this possible.