Africa-Press – Liberia. The Borough of New Kru Town, which is one of the political strongholds of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) of ex-President George Manneh Weah, appears to be a politically threatened terrain for votes grabbing, as a result of the decision taken by one of the party’s founding member Edward Forh to join the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR).
Forh served two terms as Representative for District # 16 on the ticket of the CDC in both the 52nd and 53rd National Legislature of Liberia.
He parted company with the party when he fell out of favor with former President Weah to contest on the CDC ticket during the 2017 Presidential and Legislative Elections.
However, he joined the MDR of Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung at a ceremony held in New Kru Town over the weekend.
Forh also rallied several supporters and partisans of the CDC and other political parties, to follow him to the MDR.
Speaking during the ceremony, Forh described the MDR as a grassroot political institution which has a vision for the country and its citizens.
According to him, the MDR is a party “that cares for people and understands development.”
“I am your pa (father) and I need a political place to stand so I can tell them that district 16 needs assistance. So, I am going to join a political party that has already started to reconstruct this country,” he stated.
He used the occasion to officially announce his retirement from legislative politics in Liberia.
Forh pointed out that though he would not contest for any representative or senatorial post, he would remain engaged with national issues at the higher level.
He said his decision is intended to sit beside President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to proffer his developmental ideas for the benefit of the country and its citizens.
He noted that he would also partner with Vice President Koung to ensure that challenges confronting Liberians are addressed.
“I am not leaving politics; but I am not into legislative politics. You bring a petition to me, I will not accept it. You look for someone among the young people and bring them to me and say papay let’s support this person.’ If you believe in me, join me and let’s go.”
He vowed to provide advice to young people and others in politics and other professional fields of studies.
Forh named the constructions of schools, town halls, roads, markets, amongst others in the Borough from County and Social Development Funds (CSDF), and increment in the annual budget of Redemption Hospital to US$2million as some of his achievements.
He, however, commended residents of the district, especially his supporters, for the confidence and opportunity afforded him to serve them at the level of the National Legislature.
Presenting MDR’s regalia to the ex-CDC lawmaker, the Administrative Assistant to the Chairman of the MDR, Melvin Yealue, officially welcomed Forh to the party.
He described Forh as an asset to the MDR. Since the end of the Liberian civil war, no political party has defeated the CDC in presidential and legislative elections in the Borough of New Kru Town.
The Borough continues to serve as a stronghold of the CDC. However, the political crossover of Forh to the MDR may lure thousands of others to the party.
Hundreds of supporters and partisans of the CDC and other political parties were spotted standing in long queues to receive the t-shirts and membership forms of the MDR during the event.
Political analysts believe that the prolonged absence of the CDC from executing activities or programs to stay engaged with its supporters and parties in the Borough, could be a contributing factor towards the huge attendance at Forh’s program and the rush for MDR membership forms by supporters of the CDC and others.
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