Wants Presidential Tenure Cut, As He Maintains Support For Boakai’s 2023 Presidential Quest
By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
PHOTO: Benoni Urey, ALP leader
GBARNGA, Liberia- Reduction in the tenure of the presidency will help Liberia to move forward, the standard beaerer of the opposition All Liberian Party (ALP), Benoni Wilfred Urey has stated.
According to him, the backwardness of Liberia is due to the prolonged stay of the President in office.
Article 50 of the Liberian constitution provides a six (6) year office term for the presidency and vice presidency including representatives.
Each president is allowed by law to stay in power no more than two terms.
The All Liberian Party Standard bearer, who is also a businessman, was speaking recently during the Second National Convention of the All Liberian Party in Gbarnga, Bong County, craved for an amendment in the country’s constitution to reduce the length in the presidential tenure.
It is not however, clear what has triggered this latest call by Mr. Benoni Wilfred Urey- a strong supporter for Amb Joseph Boakai’s presidential ambitions.
Background
In December 2020, the government of Liberia had planned to bundle the eight amendments into three questions, with one question on amending article 28 (citizenship), one on amending articles 45, 47, 48, 49 and 50 on the terms of office of the President, Senate and House of Representatives, and one on amending article 83 to change the date of general elections and decrease the time the Elections Commission has to investigate complaints.
However, this was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, as article 92 requires amendments to be voted on separately.
Opposition and Urey’s earlier reactions
In December of 2020, Mr. Benoni Wilfred Urey at a meeting in the capital Monrovia said: “We are not participating in a referendum because it has not met the criteria spelled out in the constitution.”
“If they go ahead with it that is their business — we will not respect the results,” he added.
The opposition Collaborating Political Parties (former Liberty Party, Unity Party, Alternative National Congress and All Liberian Party) attempted to appeal to the Supreme Court, but were unsuccessful. Despite reports the changes would lead to George Weah’s third presidential term like in other Western African neighbors, something President Weah has denied.
Results
According to the an NEC 2020 data, the amendments on reducing the term of presidency and allowing dual citizenship won a majority of votes. The National Election Commission said, voters said yes to all eight questions asked on the referendum in five of fifteen counties in the country.
Final results were released on 1st April 2021, with a narrow majority in favor of all eight proposals, but none meeting the two-thirds quorum required, resulting in all proposals being rejected.
Support for Boakai
At the same time, Mr. Urey has maintained his support for former Vice President, Amb. Joseph Numah Boakai stressing that the country’s progress rests upon him.
The former Maritime Commissioner during the Charles Taylor regime believes, Joseph Boakai is the single best choice who has come to emancipate Liberians after the 2023 general elections.
He urged Liberians to elect Boakai and “save the country”.
Mr. Urey made the assertions during the Second National Convention of the All Liberian Party in Gbarnga, Bong County.