By Alfred Kollie alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
Tensions are building up within the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) over allocation of jobs, nearly two months after President Manneh Weah took office.
A number of supporters and members of the ruling CDC have threatened to protest against any attempt by the party, heads of government Ministries and Agencies employing members or individuals from the opposition bloc and leaving them out.
The CDC supporters made the threat on Monday at the party’s headquarters in Monrovia when dozens of supporters of the former ruling Unity Party (UP) of ex-Vice President Joseph Boakai and the Alternative National Congress (ANC) of former Coca Cola executive Alenxander Cummings crossed over to the CDC at a ceremony.
The disgruntled CDC Supporters, who were believed to be little over thirty, expressed their frustration when the mainly young people from the opposition UP and ANC publically joined the party to support President George Manneh Weah’s “Pro-poor” agenda.
The CDC supporters said the move by UP and ANC was not timely but only intended to seek jobs but not to fully support the ruling CDC.
Last week, the President Weah called on heads of government’s Ministries and Agencies to employee individuals’ based on competency and not on party line.
But the dissatisfied CDC supporters on Monday said it were unfortunate for officials of the ruling party to accept individuals or group sof opposition people who had said during the 2017 elections campaign that President Weah was not presidential material.
The agitating CDC supporters, who comprised mainly chair ladies and youths from various districts in Montserrado County, said ‘’we are prepared and ready to resist any attempt by the party to recommend for employment oppositions,’’
The angry CDC supporters were seen at the party’s headquarters openly chanting their message to officials during the program, sparking intermittent noise in the hall.
‘’Unity party went against us during the election now they cominjob we will not allow it is unfair, your should not do it to us,’’ some of the agitating CDC supporters said.
Others said: “That the stupidity your call us here for to witness opposition joining the party, to play fun out of us we will not accept it’’ angry supporters explained.”
But in expressing support for President Weah’s statement that heads of government Ministries and Agencies should not employ based on party line, CDC’s acting National Chairman, Mulbah K. Morlu challenged heads of government Ministries and Agencies to employ individuals based on competency and not on party line.
‘’It is time that heads of government Institutions respect the president statement by providing opportunities for its supporters not only supporters,’’ Morlu said.
Speaking Monday when he received former members from the oppositions UP and the ANC, Morlu called on restless CDC supporters to be patient and wait, in order to afford President Weah the opportunity to build the government in the best interest of all Liberians.
He said although it is true that everyone cannot have jobs in government, the CDC is working hard and will continue to work making sure that the right are put in place.