For many observers, the outcome of the by-election was an indication that policies of the current government do not go far enough to relieve Montserrado county voters of their socio-economic plight. The ruling party , it seems, has to reorganize its priorities to be more people focused.
The fallout of this by-election also knew no bounds. The Planning Minister threw his credibility on the line with his now infamous “go back to school” battle cry. The media was also a casualty of this by-election. Both the Daily observer, once a reputable news outlet, and the Daily Graphic newspapers ran apparent hit pieces on Mr George Weah and Madam Geraldine Doe-Sheriff. Their respective fibs robbed them of their neutral status and portrayed them as heavily partisan entities whose stories were meant to hurt the chances of the CDC. It was also a shock that these publications elicited NO apparent reaction from the Press Union of Liberia (PUL)! Strange bedfellows and alliances were formed, some of which are doomed due to idealogical differences!
It will be a folly of unimaginable political consequences for any interested politician to dismiss the significance of the outcome of this election. Montserrado county is not only overpopulated but possesses at least 400,000 plus registered voters. That is out of a population of 3 million plus. Indeed the outcome cast a long shadow on the up coming elections of 2011.
As the dust settles on the election the winner, CDC, should be cognizant that Montserrado County voters chose them because of apparent lack of meaningful impact the UP policies have had on their lives despite the record aid and international goodwill the government has received. It is high time the CDC provide leadership and proffer relevant policies that will positively impact the lives of her Montserrado County constituents.
This by-election loss also presents the UP with a golden opportunity. The General (presidential) elections is two full years away. Weah and the CDC apparatus MUST be taken on as it relates to differences in policies and mode of implementation. Indeed politics is a game of numbers ! Mr Weah, like Coca Cola needs NO advertisements in Liberia ! UP operatives should be encouraged to desist from personal attacks and stick to the ISSUES !
The party needs to radically reinvent itself and do everything possible to shed the perception of corruption that has dogged it since it took the reins of power. Whiffs of cronyism, nepotism, the business as usual mentality and grand ole “patronism” should be publicly jettisoned if the party is to make any significant impact in the general election of 2011.
Lastly, we want to congratulate the winner , the CDC, and commend the Liberian nation for a job well done.
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
[ 1 comment ] ( 6 views ) | permalink |
( 3 / 92 )
Calendar