By Lincoln G. Peters
Africa-Press – Liberia. Opposition Unity Party (UP) presidential candidate Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai has alluded to the possibility of a presidential runoff between him and incumbent President George Manneh Weah.
Ahead of the National Elections Commission (NEC) releasing the full tally report, the former Liberian vice president addressed his supporters at a press conference on Thursday, 19 October 2023, having seen majority of the progressive tally reports.
Both men are sharing close percentages from the total votes counted so far, and a re-run ordered by the NEC this Friday in Nimba County does not show prospects of preventing a run-off.
A presidential candidate must obtain 50 percent plus one of the total valid votes to be declared a winner. 20 presidential candidates contested in the October 2023 polls.
Delivering his post-election address at the UP-Rescue Center in Monrovia, Amb. Boakai said there is no doubt that the majority of the Liberian people who stood in lines on Election Day, Tuesday, 10 October 2023 went to exercise their rights to eject President Weah from the presidency.
He said Liberians had rejected Mr. Weah for his alleged dismal performance over the past six years during which his party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) ruled the country.
‘’Through their votes, the Liberian people have presented to President Weah and his CDC a reality that they feared the most throughout these elections the possibility of a second-round face-off against me and our broad- based Team,’’ Amb. Boakai stated.
Boakai argued that as evident from the results of the presidential election announced by the NEC, the Liberian people, in their righteous rage, have served President Weah a clear warning that his days in the presidency are numbered.
Boakai believed that very soon, the final verdict would be delivered to make President Weah a one-term president.
According to the opposition politician, Liberia has since witnessed gross incompetence, corruption, and brazen looting of state resources, with no accountability.
Amb. Boakai believes that the alleged lack of leadership and retrogression has been the order of the day.
“I, therefore, want to take this time to express my profound thanks and appreciation to the Parties of the UP Alliance and all our partisans and sympathizers, dispersed throughout the length and breadth of this country, who exercised their franchise by casting their votes for the Rescue Ticket,” said Amb. Boakai.
“With your votes and support, we have made, and will continue to make history,’’ he pointed out.
He stated that they have proven, in a resounding tone that a people determined to achieve a noble goal can prevail.
He said despite using millions upon millions of dollars obtained from questionable sources and intimidating opposition supporters, President Weah and his CDC were unable to break the ironclad resolve of the people.
Amb. Boakai also pointed out that despite the massive irregularities, they fought a good fight and defeated the ruling CDC.
“On the journey to October 10, 2023, you, our people, defied rain and thunder; you defied the scorching sun and the suffocating heat,” said Boakai.
He said his supporters defied sleep and fatigue, walked long distances, and crossed many rivers and creeks just to share the good news of the Rescue Mission.
“You did so not so much because you love Joseph Nyumah Boakai or Jeremiah Kpan Koung. You did so because you love and deeply care for Liberia,’’ he concluded.
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