TINA S. MEHNPAINE
Africa-Press – Liberia. Grace Kpaan, the Vice Presidential running mate for the Liberia National Union (LNU), has warned Liberians that “God does not vote”, in a speech that emphasized the need for voters to take responsibility for the country’s development and progress.
Kpaan who was introduced to a mammoth crowd as Dr. Clarence Moniba’s running mate was pleading with Liberian voters to see the October 10 polls “as a watershed moment” to rise above the “constraints of apathy and complacency,” and stop electing “rogue and corrupt leaders.”
“Fellow Liberians, God does not vote. It is the decision that we make at the ballot box that will either break or make us,” Kpaan, who is a former Superintendent of Montserrado County, said in a speech at her unveiling over the weekend. “So it is time to rise above the shackles of complacency, vote with our conscience, and elect individuals who have demonstrated unwavering integrity and individuals who will put the interests of the nation above their personal gain.”
“But if you elect rogue officials as it has been in the past, you have no one to blame but yourselves for the failure of the country.
“You cannot expect the country to achieve greatness when you knowingly elect people we know are corrupt and driven by personal gain,” Kpaan noted. “The responsibility for change lies with you and if you abuse that come the October 10 polls, you must hold yourself accountable for bad governance and corruption.
Kpaan, whose speech is rare for politicians seeking state power, squarely placed the need for change at the feet of the electorate, who have watched the country be torn apart by corruption and bad governance, to vote based on merit, rather than being swayed by tribal or ethnic biases or political gifts.
She is of the belief that once a rogue leader is elected, the electorates are “giving a seal of approval,” and directly condoning their actions, which enable them “to push our nation further into chaos and despair.” Kpaan’s remarks which have sparked a lively debate among Liberians, with some seeing it as a wake-up call for national conscience and an opportunity to shape the country’s fate, is the third female candidate contesting for the nation’s second highest political office.
She joins Moniba as a seasoned administrator with a wealth of experience in local governance and might be using that to infuse renewed energy and excitement into the LINU campaign by wooing voters with conscious messages.
Winning presidential elections in Liberia is not mostly based on integrity. Issues such as religion and ethnicity often determine how votes are cast. Another factor is cash inducements as well. Kpaan however appears to be tackling these factors with “conscious messages,” which she believes can cut across and help LINU make inroads into the largest counties.
According to Kpaan, Liberian voters are responsible for the poverty, inequality, and bad governance in this country “because they” knowingly elect corrupt leaders but expect change which is “impossible.” She argued that it is wrong for Liberians to blame politicians alone for the failure of the country but should share that responsibility since it is the voters that are causing the problem.
“For years, it has been easy to blame politicians for the failures of our nation, but Liberians must shoulder their share of the responsibility for their failure of being vigilant, and to scrutinize the track records of all of us seeking power before voting them considering that voters knowingly elect rogues yet want to expect change which is impossible.
“However, another opportunity is here again and that is the October 10 elections. On this day, the fate of our nation will lie in your hands and when you cast your vote on that day, you will be doing so not just for yourself, but, but for the generations to come,” Kpaan claimed.
“If you elect leaders who embody the principles of integrity, accountability, the experience of doing it before, and selflessness, as it is the case with Dr. Moniba and me, you will be seeking a prosperous future for your country, yourself, and generations to come.”
Meanwhile, Kpaan, who is a former President of the International Transport Workers Federation Coordinating Committee, is calling on Liberia to rectify the mistakes of the past by voting for the “Moniba/Kpaan ticket in the face of deteriorating governance.”
According to her, the Moniba ticket is a vision for a New Liberia where the rule of law reigns supreme, where our resources are used judiciously for the betterment of all, and where every Liberian, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive.
“Together, we can create a Liberia that our children will be proud to inherit. A Liberia where dreams are not crushed by corruption, but nurtured by opportunity. A Liberia where hard work, dedication, and integrity are rewarded. Change, my fellow citizens, begins with us. We must be vigilant and discerning in our selection of leaders.
“We must demand transparency, accountability, and a proven track record of good governance. If you don’t engage in critical thinking, seek truth beyond the superficial allure of political campaigns, and demand transparency and integrity from politicians seeking power, you should not cry when your hopes are shattered and the noble ideals you once held dear crumble before your eyes.
“The Moniba/Kpaan administration will build a Liberia that works for all its citizens, not just a privileged few. We will tackle the root causes of corruption and institute comprehensive measures to eradicate cancer from our society,” Kpaan said to a cheering crowd of supporters.
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