Weah Tells CDC Supporters: “Boakai Is In The Lead That We Cannot Surpass”
PHOTO: (L-R) Incumbent Pres. Weah and Pres. elect Boakai
By Our Staff Writer
ust hours after the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced 99.5% of the votes tallied in the November 14, 2023 presidential runoff election with UP’s Joseph Boakai leading, President George Weah has conceded defeat and congratulates his rival, says an Executive Mansion press release.
President Weah acknowledged the victory of the former Vice President.
Meanwhile, state radio reported Friday evening that the Liberian leader will address the nation tonight at 11pm GMT.
In the late-night radio address, President Weah has told his CDC party supporters that though NEC has not announced the final results, “Boakai is in the lead that we cannot surpass.”
President Weah, who referred to Boakai as the President election, said the closeness in the margin of their votes suggest that the country is deeply divided and there a need for the nation to come together now that the election is over.
He told the nation that after the announcement of the NEC results, he placed a phone call to president elect Boakai to congratulate him, “although this is not the outcome we desired”.
Addressing a news conference at the NEC headquarters earlier on Friday, the Chairperson of the Commission, Davidetta Browne Lansanah said incumbent President George eah of the CDC is trailing with over 49 percent of the votes.NEC Says With 99.5% Of Votes Tallied, Pres. Weah Trailing UP Boakai – News Public Trust
Weah, the former international footballer-turned politician, came to power nearly six years ago in January 2018, after defeated Boakai in the 2017 polls.
Boakai had served for the entire two six-year terms as Vice President under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the same Unity Party he leads today as Standard Bearer.
Below the Executive Mansion Statement below:
“Monrovia, Liberia – The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah has congratulated Former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai as winner of the 2023 presidential runoff election.
President Weah called Mr. Boakai via telephone following the announcement of provisional results by the National Elections Commission (NEC) on Friday, November 17, 2023.
The Liberian Chief Executive said Liberians are the winners of the elections and called on his support to accept the results.”