By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor in Monrovia
Nimba County Senior Senator Prince Y. Johnson is passing onto CDC’s George Weah as the ruling Unity Party and the Coalition for Democratic Change are poised to square up in the run-off of the National Presidential and Representatives elections slated for November 7, 2017.
As the Nimba Senator endorses the man he had persistently and bitterly criticized and lambasted, Johnson told a press conference that he “enjoys deciding the presidency of the Country.”
“Though we did not achieve our dreams, but we always enjoy the honor to decide the presidency of Liberia. I, therefore, urge you all to keep hope alive; we will get there at God’s own time. We must lend our support to elect that government that will be for the people, of the people and by the people,” says Senator Johnson at the conference.
Speaking further at the endorsement press conference at his party’s headquarters in Monrovia, October 26th, Senator Johnson said he had toured the 15 counties during the campaign and he became more convinced than ever that Liberia needs change and a new government with a new vision.
According to him, the roads linking the counties are deplorable and impassable, “I believe that Liberia can fix this problem through the introduction of the toll gate system. I am also convinced that Liberia needs security – this includes food security, job security and health security,” he added.
Johnson, who is expected to be kingmaker in two successive elections, has pointed out that the next government needs to stop the importation of rice and invest in the mechanized farming in order to make the country self-reliant in food production.
“I know that no one party can solve all these problems alone, that is why we must all join into make the Liberian dreams a reality. We must also continue to promote the doctrine of freedom of speech and civil liberties for all Liberians and strangers within our borders,” he stressed.
He noted that majority of the Liberian people voted for change, adding, the message therefore was loud, clear and unavoidable.
“Pursuant to a historic meeting of opposition political parties I called in Ganta, Nimba County in September of 2016, which gave birth to the Ganta Declaration, we committed ourselves to ensuring an opposition victory for change in 2017 presidential election. After holding a board based consultation with stakeholders and partisans from across the country and our stronghold in Nimba County, including executives of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction and with their approval and consent, I have resolved to remain committed to the spirit and intent of the Ganta Declaration of which was the convener, host and architect-in-chief,” he said.
“Consistent with this belief, I am therefore honored today to announced to the Liberian people and the world at large, that with abiding faith in God and love for my country, my full and unflinching support and collaboration to the Coalition for Democratic Change and the candidacy of Senator George Manneh Weah, as president of the Republic of Liberia in the forthcoming presidential run-off election scheduled for November 7, 2017” Senator Johnson concluded his press conference.
Many did not expect that Johnson would have endorsed Weah considering his brazen lashes out Weah, and sometimes saying that if Weah became President of Liberia, the country would return to war. But when Weah and Johnson traveled together to Nigeria, some skeptics said Weah must have mended fences with the man Nimba citizens listen to.
