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Liberia, the oldest Republic on the African
continent has been torn apart by a
protracted period of civil holocaust with
every sector of the country been greatly
effected. Several individuals claming to
have the panacea or to be the messiahs that
will lead Liberia to the Promised Land had
come and gone relatively making no
significant impact.
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But as our Reporter Wleh Bedell
reports, the country now 158 years old,
is preparing for another election which
observers dubbed as a football match with 22
political athletics struggling to hit the
net the Executives Mansion.
The October 11, 2005 elections is rated
highly crucial judging from the keen
interest the international community has
placed on it as well as the mammoth number
of individuals who are aiming to be at the
helm of the country’s highest seat.
A total of 22 candidates are in dire need
of ascending to the Executive Manson in
their quest to be named the 23rd President
of the Republic of Liberia.
Of the 22 in the hunt for states power,
George Weah of the Congress for Democratic
Change (CDC), Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the
Unity Party (UP) Liberty Party (LP) Charles
Brumskine and Coalition for the
Transformation of Liberia (COTOL) standard
bearer Cllr. Varney Sherman are the
favorites according to survey conducted.
Other parties though are being rated dark
horses capable of springing up surprises for
the frontrunners in the dying minutes. Many
say with the political playing already
overcrowded, anything is possible, even
last-minute merger to press for leverage in
the runner up elections.
“The crowdedness of the political terrain
is a proof that democracy is at work,” says
Theresa Satto a health worker.
Emmanuel Johnson agrees with a pointed note:
“Whether the parties are many or not we are
only opting for a transparent process.”
But with the likes of Madam Sirleaf of the
Unity Party who has always being a
heavyweight in the political set-up of the
country more than two decades now, and the
ex-super star turned politician George Weah
of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC)
taking in the political marathon, many are
of the conviction that the process will need
careful handling.
The London Post predicted the Liberian
election to be a two horse title race, with
Weah and Madam Sirleaf of the CDC and UP
respectively known as the front runners.
Already, some top notched political gurus
have been somersaulting to the camp of the
legendary footballer to the astonishment of
many observers. The 38-year-old presidential
aspirant who is keen on matching his
success on the pitch with that of politics
is arguably the toss of the crowd as
evidenced by the huge turn out each time he
embarks on a venture to meet the
electorates.
Though some argue that this is not a
popularity contest and in fact, most of
those heaping praises on the ex-danger man
as the incoming president are ineligible to
partake in the voting process.
They further claim that many of the
youngsters marshalling the Weah cause are
pariahs and that only time will tell for
their statement to be authenticated.
The Weah die-hards, though, seem
unperturbed and undaunted in their quest to
achieve their noble objective. They believe
the time has come for the grassrooters to
get to the zenith of national politics.
Then there are the die-hards of the other
frontrunner, Madam Sirleaf. They too like
their closest rivals in the CDC camp are
incurably optimistic that their time has
come. They believe that this time round, the
Unity Party will reign supreme come October
11.
“In 1997 we missed the top spot due to
fear that Taylor would embark upon a
campaign to orchestrate another devilish act
of imbroglio were he to lose at the polls.
This time the miscreant is out, and our
people have seen how devastating it was in
the last few years. They will certainly vote
wisely,” exclaimed a stalwart of United
Party.
But, while the two presumed favorites are
already in a mind game, the Liberty Party
which was able to get a big boost when she
snatched Liberia‘s second most popular
footballer James Salinsa Debbah and the
Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia
are inching closer as well with the sole
intent of getting the ultimate prize.
One keen follower of Liberian politics
believe there is still a long way to go in
the campaign process, and if those
responsible for educating the people can do
so in a more placid manner many potential
voters would change over night.
Another follower is rather cautioning
those campaigning for their various
candidates, be it presidential, senatorial
or representative to exercise a high level
of maturity and amicability in the process.
“We should not decry people by calling them
unbearable names like rebels, yana boys or
illiterate individuals, because by doing so
we would spend the whole campaign period
only talking but being unable to win one
person over to our respective parties. Let
us remember that electioneering politics is
number.”
Whoever wins one thing is certain; such
person will be occupying the nation’s
highest office with a baggage of
expectations waiting at the foot of his or
her throne.
There is a need to rebuild the educational
sector, restore basic social services like
pipe-borne water, and electricity as well as
undertake infrastructural development.
The children have been the most vulnerable
throughout the crisis, and there is a
serious need to cater to them. Also, the
youths who form an integral part of any
society must be looked at seriously. The
future of this nation precariously rest upon
them and as such they must be afforded the
opportunity to harness their talents.
Military and political commentators have
no doubt that because this country must once
more make peace with its neighbors the
electorates must do all they can to
inaugurate a president by January next year
that will command international as well as
domestic respect.
And with 56 days to election, the football
pitch Liberia, with 22 players vying for
top honor which is the Executive Manson, one
can only hope that the entire process will
be transparent for this country to once more
regain its lost image in order to get its
rightful place among the comity of nations. |
