IPNews-Monrovia, Liberia- 29 December 2017: Finally, the standard-bearer of the ruling Unity Party, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has congratulated president-elect George M. Weah as winner of Tuesday’s , December 26, 2017, presidential runoff election.
Vice President Boakai, told journalists on Friday morning that he offers Senator George Weah, a hand of goodwill, friendship and gratitude for a historic contest.
He congratulated the standard bearer of the Coalition for Democratic Change-CDC, and opted to avail himself in any way possible during his reign as President of Africa’s Oldest Independent Republic.
Commenting further, the UP standard bearer said Liberia is at the historic crossroad, and called on Liberians to remain cautious about the importance of keeping the peace in nurturing the young democracy.
Vice President Boakia, furthermore cautioned against acts that have the tendency of heightening tension which are catalyst for potential conflict that leads to the destruction of a nations; disintegrate families and undermine the sanctity of a nation.
He reminded Liberians of the protracted history of the nation which is characterized by some disturbing episodes of fraudulent electoral processes and the attendant consequences, “Notable among them”, such as, “the presidential election of 1927 and 1985, which outcomes were rejected, thereby engendering conflict which occasioned the loss of lives and protracted fratricidal national conflict.
“My worth and ambition to serve will never push me to stoop low to violence. The truth of the matter is that what I’m seeking was not the power or title, but instead an opportunity to serve. My love for country is more profound and intrinsic than my desire for the presidency,” he said.
On Thursday late evening , the National Elections Commission (NEC), announced preliminary results of Tuesday’s December 29th runoff election putting the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), of former FIFA 1995 World Best Footballer of the Year 61.5% ahead of the ruling Unity Party standard bearer Joseph N. Baokia, with 38.5% representing 98.1% of the total number of total polling places from across the entire country.
NEC’s Chairman Jerome Kokorya stated that Weah accumulated 720,023 votes, which amounts to 61.5% while Boakai earned 451,088 representing 38.5%.
After conceding defeat to the Former UNICEF goodwill Ambassador Weah, Vice President Boakai called on supporters and well-wishers of the Unity Party to support peace, collectively join hands to build Liberia, heal wounds and serve the people with honesty as well as a renewed dedication and commitment.
He also reminded them to put the election and the acrimony occasioned by it behind them all and close ranks with the winner and other opposition political parties to push the nation to its rightful place within the comity of nations.
Vice President Baoakai further called urged his partisans And supporters to demonstrate to the world that Liberia can be a better country because they mustered the courage to subordinate their personal ambition and interests for the greater good of the country.
