By Augustine Octavius
The ruling Unity Party (UP) Standard Bearer Vice President Joseph Boakai on Thursday struck a reconciliatory chord, as he accepted the results released on the December 26th 2017 run –off presidential elections.
He congratulated President-elect George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change on his victory, amidst cheers, chanting of UP slogans, while others Boakai supporters were shedding tears.
“I called Ambassador George Weah to congratulate him as winner of the election,” said Liberia’s current Vice President Joseph Boakai, one of the two candidates in the December 26 presidential runoff election on Friday.
In a live radio address from his ruling Unity Party (UP) headquarters in the Monrovia Congo Town suburb Boakai gracefully accepted the results announced by the National Elections Commission (NEC) on Thursday, with 98>1% of the votes tallied giving Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) 61.5% of the votes while he (Boakai) got 38.5%.
Stressing the need for national reconciliation, Boakai said at this juncture in history, Liberians should be cognizance of the fact some elections are conflict prone and has the potential of tearing one nation apart and he is aware of the economic challenges.
Addressing the nation at the headquarter of the Unity Party, he pointed out that the history of the country over the years is characterized by some disturbing episodes of fraudulent electoral practices and the attendant consequences
Notably among them, Ambassador Boaki went on, are the presidential elections of 1927 and 1985 , the outcomes of which were rejected and thereby endangering and promulgating into conflicts and loss of lives and properties.
But he has refused to subject the nation to such experience; adding:” I reject any temptation of imposing any hardship, agony and uncertainty on our people. My name will not be used to spill human blood in this country”
The UP standard bearer pointed out that his ambition to serve will never reduce him to violence because he was not seeking power or title but an opportunity to serve his people.
He explained that his love for the country is more profound that to serve the presidency as such a while ago, he has called President –elect Weah purposely to congratulate as a winner of the presidential contest
The Vice President also availed himself to help in any way, if he finds it useful for the good of this country.
Although they worked hard seriously for a different outcomes and the work result showed he said; but his faith and value has always make to respect the will of the people as announced by the National Elections omission.
He called on his supporters and members of the collaborating political parties to work collectively for the maintenance of peace in order to build the country, heal the wounds and serve the people with honesty.
“Let’s put the elections behind us and close ranks in order to build this country among the comity of nations’” he said adding, “I urge all to you to demonstrate that Liberia can be a better country.”
He also advised his supporters to put aside their personal interests for the good of the country
He maintained that most of his supporters in and outside Liberia are disappointed with outcome of the election, but they fought a good fight.