FLASHBACK; CPP leaders (Joseph Boakai, Alex Cummings, Sen. Yongblee Karnga-Lawrence and Benoni Urey) during their days of political collaboration
The opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC) of Alexander Cummings has promised to announce and spell out the new direction of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), in the wake of the withdrawal of the former ruling four-part bloc.
Early this week (February 17, 2022), UP’s Standard Bearer, former Vice President Joseph Boakia announced the withdrawal of his party from the CPP, blaming the ANC for failing to attend meetings intended to resolve the deep-seated conflict in the group.
But in a press statement .later, the ANC said, “we are not surprised that sensing defeat, the Former VP would run away to form a new coalition, which will not democratically challenge his false sense of entitlement to the presidency.”
Two parties–UP and Benoni Urey’s All Liberian Party (ALP) have now left the CPP, which has been rocked by a protracted leadership crisis, mainly over who will head the fractured CPP presidential ticket in this opposition bloc.
See full text of ANC press statement below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANC RESPONDS TO UNITY PARTY’S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLLABORATING POLITICAL PARTY(CPP)
Monrovia, Liberia. February 17, 2022: Based on recent actions, conspiratorial silence and inactions, the Alternative National Congress (ANC) is not surprised by the announcement of Former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, withdrawing his Unity Party (UP) from the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), for which, until today, he was chair.
Not only is this withdrawal a breaking of the promise that Amb. Baokai made to unite and reconcile the CPP when he assumed the rotational Chair, but also it is a failure of leadership. The withdrawal announcement also breaks the UP’s promise made to the people of Liberia that the CPP will remain the vehicle through which the bad leadership of Pres. George Weah will be replaced, and their hopes and aspiration for a better Liberia will be realized.
While we welcome their right to withdraw, we vehemently denounce the many lies contained in the Statement of Withdrawal told against the ANC. We will address these lies subsequently but suffice to say these falsehoods are intended to coverup the obvious weaknesses in the leadership of Amb. Boakai, which is highlighted by his inability to fulfill promises made to the Liberian people. The truth is that the Former Vice President is withdrawing his UP from the CPP only because his false sense of entitlement to the position of Standard Bearer of the CPP, was being successfully challenged by the ANC Standard Bearer, Mr. Alexander B. Cummings.
The CPP was not formed to ordain any individual as its Standard Bearer. This is why a binding primary process was agreed upon for the selection of its presidential candidate, where no consensus is met. It is obvious to the ANC that Amb. Boakai is not just withdrawing his UP from the CPP, he is running away from a democratic CPP Primary defeat to Mr. Cummings.
We feel compelled to ask: If Former Vice President Joseph Boakai cannot successfully chair the CPP and keep it united and reconciled, as he promised he would, can he lead Liberia to unity and reconciliation? If the former VP cannot withstand democratic challenges in the CPP, can he withstand democratic challenges in Liberia?
Since its formation, the CPP has had many issues which requires astute and selfless characteristics in leadership. Under the chairmanship of the ANC Political Leader, the CPP was faced with the issue of the Nimba Primary which threatened its existence. Mr. Cummings made the decision to save the CPP over his personal and party preference and interest. Similar decision was made with the 2019 Cape Mount bi-elections when the other parties reneged on the agreement for ANC to field a candidate.
Over the course of the CPP formation, the ANC and Mr. Cummings have been targeted, insulted, maligned and even recently, have been conspiratorially implicated in a bogus Framework lawsuit. Yet, the ANC continues to remain committed to the CPP because the CPP is about the aspirations of the Liberian people and our promises to them. We promised not to make the CPP about entitlements or personal ambitions. Amb. Boakai and his Unity Party cannot say the same, nor represent to Liberians that they have conducted themselves in a way and manner in the CPP to fulfill their promise to the Liberian people over their false sense of entitlements and seemingly undemocratic quest for power.
In this regard, only the ANC and its Standard Bearer have consistently publicly said that if Amb. Boakai wins the democratic CPP Primary, the ANC and its leader will support Amb. Boakai as we would support ourselves as winners. Amb. Boakai and his UP have never ever publicly or privately said the same. Hence, we are not surprised that sensing defeat, the Former VP would run away to form a new coalition, which will not democratically challenge his false sense of entitlement to the presidency.
Regrettably, our country continues to suffer from the failures of its political leaders to keep promises they make to the Liberian people. For the ANC, this is unacceptable. Too many of our political leaders lack the courage to make hard decisions, while too many make promises they have no intention to keep. Breaking promises, as we are witnessing, testify to weak, indecisive, dishonest and untrustworthy leadership.
The ANC wishes the Unity Party and the All Liberian Party well in their future endeavors. In due course, Mr. Alexander Cummings will more fully respond to this announcement and spell out the new direction of the CPP. The hopes and aspirations of the people will not be thwarted and or destroyed due to a failure of the runaway leadership of the Former VP. The ANC remains committed to providing real change to our country for the benefit of all Liberians.
May God continue to bless our country and give us leaders like Cummings – leaders with courage, foresight and integrity, who will say what they mean and mean what they say.
Signed: Aloysius Toe, JD