By Abigail Y. Togbah
In a provocative statement made during the “Thank You Rally” organized by the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), President George Weah targeted former Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, labeling him as the “Joseph, who squandered opportunities during his time in national government.”
Speaking before hundreds of CDC’s partisans at the party’s headquarters in Congotown on Monday, July 17, President Weah drew a biblical analogy to distinguish between two types of Josephs.
He referred to himself as “Joseph the Dreamer,” alluding to the biblical Joseph, Jacob’s son, who was sold into slavery at the age of 17.
In contrast, he labeled Boakai as “Joseph the Sleeper,” suggesting that the former VP had failed to make the most of his chances.
President Weah highlighted Boakai’s admission of the Unity Party squandering opportunities when it ruled for 12 unbroken years, asserting that the former VP had served as the Agriculture Minister in the past but failed to deliver meaningful benefits to the Liberian people.
Weah emphasized that during Boakai’s 12 years as Vice President, he did nothing substantial and even confessed to being inactive like an old car parked in a garage.
The leader of the CDC further criticized his primary contestant in the October 10, 2023 Presidential election, Boakai, who currently serves as the political leader of the opposition Unity Party (UP), accusing him of accomplishing nothing for the Liberian people.
Weah claimed that Boakai was desperately advising citizens to vote against the ruling coalition, urging voters to deprive themselves of opportunities for progress and development.
President Weah’s remarks came during a politically charged event aimed at expressing gratitude to his supporters.
The rally served as a platform for the CDC to bolster its standing and mobilize its base ahead of upcoming political contests.
It remains to be seen how Boakai and the Unity Party will respond to President Weah’s comments, as political tensions continue to rise in Liberia ahead of the Presidential and Legislative Elections.
The exchange highlights the fierce competition and contrasting narratives surrounding the country’s leadership, with both sides vying for public support in the run-up to future elections.
From the President’s rants on Boakai, one can also see that the campaign is going to be nastic with invectives, which would lead to physical tussles, involving fists’ throwing, stone wars, etc.
