PHOTO: The Author
By Dr. M. Blonkanjay Jackson
The Mwalimu-Koh
September 27, 2025
Thinking Thoughts
In my thinking Thoughts I reflected on the annoying noise which permeated highway neighborhoods by individuals posing as members of the dethroned Mighty Congress for Democratic Change (CDC). This situation was a serious embarrassment to the Government of Liberia when scores of returning Liberians and foreign guests remained on the highway from the Roberts International Airport (RIA) for hours longer than anticipated. As they disembarked their flights to reach the capital, Monrovia, and start rolling out the objectives for their visits, they were caught in a thick traffic that lasted for hours. Reason? The former President of Liberia, George Weah, was returning from witnessing his son, Timothy, sign a football contract, and Acarous Gray had mobilized a relatively huge sector of the CDC to welcome him (George Weah).
The publicity was so massive that hundreds of CDC laymen wrongly concluded George Weah had gone abroad and accomplished a great feat in the name of the country. This appeared not to be the case. The noises of bellowing sirens permeated the atmosphere from the RIA to the former president’s residence in the Rehab Community in Paynesville. As preparation for this staged triumphal entry, palm branches were hung on light poles as CDCians donned their military-style berets with readiness to receive “our President.
Despite the falsehood that bridled the massive turnout, there was a metaphor of the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem as narrated in the synoptic gospels.
Metaphors of the Triumphant Entries
When Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, the city erupted with shouts of “Hosanna!” Crowds lined the streets, waving palm branches and heralding Him as a king. The triumphant entry was more than a procession; it was a symbol of hope, freedom, and deliverance. Yet, just one week later, the same voices that cried “Hosanna” turned into cries of “Crucify Him!” The people’s loyalty dissolved in the face of disappointment, exposing the shallow depth of their devotion.
Fast forward to Liberia, where former President George Weah recently returned from abroad, disclosing that his trip was to check on the football contract of his son, Timothy Weah. His return sparked a jubilant procession reminiscent of Palm Sunday. Crowds thronged the Roberts International Airport and spilled onto the main highway, causing massive traffic jams and inconveniencing international travelers. The sea of supporters sang, danced, and paraded as if to proclaim the return of a rejuvenated political messiah.
But just like the crowds of Jerusalem, the Liberian scene was laced with paradox. Despite the overwhelming display of adoration, the reality is that George Weah has consistently failed to win the very constituencies where his popularity seems most pronounced. In District #6, for instance, where his name recognition should give him a stronghold, he has repeatedly lost. Even more telling is the fact that he has never won at the polling center where he casts his own ballot.
The Contradiction
This contradiction mirrors the biblical prototype: Jesus was hailed as king one day and rejected the next because He did not meet the people’s political and military expectations. Likewise, the same Liberians who line the highways for Weah often mark their ballots for other candidates when the moment of truth arrives.
Public adoration is intoxicating, but it can also be misleading. Crowds that gather on the spur of excitement often do not represent genuine or lasting support. They come for the spectacle, the music, and the energy of the moment—but when the lights go out, their enthusiasm fades.
Jesus understood this dynamic well. He did not entrust Himself to the Palm Sunday crowd because He knew their hearts. George Weah, on the other hand, faces a political challenge in recognizing that the size of his welcome procession does not necessarily translate into votes or durable political loyalty.
Questions of the Symbolic Triumphal Entry
The symbolism of this recent “triumphant return” raises important questions about the nature of political leadership in Liberia. Are leaders content with surface-level adulation, or do they seek the deeper trust that comes with accountability, vision, and tangible results? A parade down the RIA highway may inspire songs and slogans, but it does not repair schools, fix hospitals, or put food on the table.
Liberians, too, must reflect on their own behavior. Why do we praise our leaders publicly only to abandon them privately at the ballot box? Is it that our cheers are empty, or do we simply enjoy the excitement of the moment while reserving judgment for the voting booth? Either way, the inconsistency highlights a tension between spectacle and substance.
The triumphant entry of Jesus and the triumphant return of George Weah remind us that public praise is fickle, crowds are unstable, and popularity can vanish overnight. For Christ, betrayal at the hands of the crowd was part of a divine plan that culminated in resurrection and eternal victory. For Weah, however, the lesson is sobering: the same hands that wave at you today may mark their ballots against you tomorrow.
As Liberia looks ahead, both leaders and citizens must recognize that true triumph is not found in motorcades, parades, or blockades of highways, but in the quiet conviction of a people who believe in the integrity, vision, and service of those who seek to lead them. The difference between “Hosanna” and “Crucify Him” can be only a matter of days—or, in Liberia’s case, a matter of votes.
Hopefully, Unity Party people WILL NOT do similar when President Joseph N. Boakai returns from the UNGA.
About the author
The Rivercess scholar and founder of the Diversified Educators Empowerment Project (DEEP), Dr. M. Blonkanjay Jackson, holds a Master of Education from Harvard University, a Master of Science in Secondary Education (Mathematics) from St. Joseph’s University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Walden University. Dr. Jackson is a Yale University Teachers Initiative Math Fellow and UPENN Physics Fellow. The Rivercess man has lectured on undergraduate and graduate education and statistics courses at several universities, including the University of Liberia, AMEU, and Stela Maris. Dr. Jackson diligently served the government of Liberia for four years and returned to private practice as a Development Specialist and Education Engineer. The Mwalimu-Koh can be reached at 0886 681 315.