Liberia: Cummings Optimistic about Winning Presidency

The Standard Bearer of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP),  Alexander Cummings, says despite his two major competitors having longer tenure in public service, he is confident of winning them, because what he has to offer to change the living conditions of the Liberian people is different, realistic, and practical.

Cummings said that although former Vice President Joseph Boakai has over 40 years in government service and President George Weah has about nine years, he has the vision, skills and experience Liberia requires to change our country and reduce the suffering of our people.

He said Weah, at the peak of his popularity as a football legend, never got more than 38 percent of the votes, and now, with the worst record of incompetency, ineptitude, and failed policies, he makes him the worst choice for re-election.

The CPP Standard Bearer made the assertion, during an interview with SKTV, an online media platform, on Sunday, February 26, 2023.

He dismissed as mere propaganda, claims by pro-government supporters that, in the absence of opposition unity, the ruling CDC of President Weah will win outright in the first round of the pending general and presidential elections slated for October 10 this year.

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Cummings expressed his suspicions that these claims of a first round victory by the CDC are schemes to cheat, and manipulate the voter registration process and the National Population and Housing Census, with the intention to rig the elections and hang on to power.

The CPP Standard Bearer noted with concern the need to ensure election integrity, because,  according to him, the Weah administration will do anything to hang on to power, despite his past records of bending the rules, many constitutional violations, and incompetence to ably steer the affairs of state.

Cummings said there are serious concerns about the capacity and capability of the National Elections Commission, the need for adequate funding, and he pleaded with all Liberians and stakeholders to ensure elections are held on time, to avert a constitutional crisis.

Cummings sounded a caveat, saying that every attempt to rig the October 10, elections will be vehemently rejected, and prevented through strong surveillance and monitoring of the process to ensure it is free, fair, transparent and that it will reflect the will of the Liberian people. 

Responding to questions about what makes him different from Mr. Weah about economic revival, Cummings said Weah's contacts and connections are limited to soccer players, while he has vast connections with the business world, and knows how to create the kind of environment and what to do to attract foreign investments.

The CPP Standard Bearer said a conducive business environment would require a strong and independent judicial system, robust enforcement of law and order, public safety, and serious efforts to combat corruption.

On the questions of security amidst the countless numbers of mysterious disappearances, deaths, killings and murders in Liberia, Cummings said its a shame on the CDC, and noted, it is a manifestation of the ineptitude and incompetence of President Weah. He said besides these mysterious killings, Liberia has turned into a major transit hub for illegal dangerous drugs and arms trafficking, causing citizens feeling unsafe to walk the streets, which makes the country unfavourable to attract foreign investors.

The CPP Standard expressed optimism about his victory and said Liberians are tired of the suffering, joblessness, high cost of living, growing insecurity, and lack of respect from Liberia's major international partners.