Former VP Boakai Anticipates Opposition Unity In Case of Election Runoff
MONROVIA – In a recent interview with the Voice of America’s DayBreak Africa program during his visit to the United States, former Liberian Vice President Joseph Boakai expressed his confidence in the potential unity of the opposition parties in the upcoming presidential elections.
Boakai, who is also the presidential candidate for the Unity Party, believes that the shared goal of unseating incumbent President George Weah will serve as a powerful incentive for the often-divided opposition to come together.
Addressing concerns about the perceived fragmentation within the opposition ranks, Boakai denied any major discord within his party. “I don’t know what they are talking about the opposition being divided. We are not divided. We do understand that there’s democracy, but as far as the Unity Party’s collaboration is concerned, we are strong enough to go into these elections,” he said.
Boakai’s optimism stems from his party’s conviction in its ability to secure victory in the initial round of voting. However, should the need arise for a runoff election, he believes that the opposition parties would be more inclined to set aside their differences and join forces to increase their chances of defeating the incumbent.
“We do hope that in the future, if there is any reason to join people, that we all see it as a bigger picture and work together,” Boakai remarked, emphasizing the importance of strategic collaboration for the greater good.
The political landscape has been marred by incidents that reflect the intensity of the upcoming elections. On Saturday, August 5, supporters of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) were seen parading caskets bearing images of Vice President Boakai. In response, Boakai appeared unfazed by the provocative display, attributing such actions to the nature of the CDC. He remarked, “It is unfortunate, because after going and signing up for a violence-free election, for you to behave like that I think it’s unfortunate, but again that’s the CDC we know how they are, but the Unity Party will never draw into that.”
The National Elections Commission has officially declared the campaign period open for the 2023 presidential and legislative elections. While urging all political parties, coalitions, alliances, and independent candidates to maintain a peaceful canvassing process, the Commission emphasized the importance of avoiding actions that could incite violence.
As the election season unfolds, Liberia watches with keen interest to see whether the shared aspiration of unseating President George Weah will indeed serve as the catalyst for opposition unity. Whether it be through a decisive first-round victory or a potential runoff, the opposition’s ability to coalesce could prove to be a defining factor in shaping the nation’s political landscape for years to come.
