Liberia: Cummings to Support Boakai If…
A possible Cummings and Boakai partnership has been a prayer for most opposition followers
— If I don't, in the unlikely case, make it to the run-off,I will openly support the opposition candidate who will make it to the run-off, even if it is former Vice President Joseph Boakai,” says Cummings, as he addresses potential voters in New Kru Town.
Presidential candidate Alexander Cummings has announced plans to endorse former Vice President Joseph Boakai if he does not make it to the run-off after the October 10 poll.
“All my life I have one plan and that is to win or succeed. If I don't, in the unlikely case, make it to run-off following the October 10 election, I will openly support the opposition candidate who will make it to the run-off, even if it is former Vice President Joseph Boakai,” says Cummings, as he addresses potential voters in New Kru Town.
The rare disclosures from Cummings, the Standard Bearer of the Collaborating Political Parties, comes amidst strained relations with Boakai, his arch-rival for the presidency.
The animosity between the two has persisted since they failed to unite in a coalition of four opposition political parties aimed at toppling President George Weah in 2021.
The former Coca Cola executive is one of the leading opposition candidates with a strong chance of unseating President George Weah. Along with Boakai, he is one of Weah's main challengers, and has pitched himself as the best option to transform the country from its current state of downturn to a prosperous one.
According to him, his ongoing engagements with people across the country have given him confidence that he can prevent Weah from retaining the presidency.
He then uses a bowl of rice as an analogy of how he intended to tackle Liberia's widespread problem, saying his administration would ensure that every Liberian would benefit from the country's wealth.
“When you work hard and obey the rules, you will eat more. The only two conditions that will prevent anyone from having a part to play in this bowl of rice is when you are lazy or fail to follow the rule of law,” Cummings noted. “If you rape, steal or manipulate, we will not allow you have a share of the food. You will be dealt with according to the law.”
“Good leadership matters and it is critical in accelerating economic development that will ensure better living conditions and a prosperous nation. By every measure, Liberia is bad off in terms of high unemployment, high cost of living, lack of essential social services and infrastructures, and rampant corruption.”
“The CPP government will lead by example in all spheres of public service, with zero tolerance for corruption and bad behavior on the part of any public official.”
According to Cummings, unlike 2017 election, when the political field was more crowded with many candidates and choice making was more complex, October polls will be between him, Boakai and Weah.
The choice, he said would not be a difficult one as it is among only three candiates and among them, he is the only want who have the idea and know how to fix the country including its broken economy and.
However, Cummings warned that no amount of talking and wishful thinking will change Liberia, but rather through hard work, sacrifice and not electing Weah for another term.
“I don’t make promises I cannot keep. Whatever I say to you today I know I can do it with the support of all of you,” Cummings says. “If you are better now than five years ago, then reelect President Weah. But if you believe and know very well that your life is worse now than what it was five years ago, then you have the opportunity to make him a one term President. This is what we want and we can do it together.”
Meanwhile, the CPP Standard Bearer, during his tour of New Kru Town yesterday, dedicated a 10-room shower and latrine facility which was funded by ANC Global. This facility will provide relief for an estimated 10,000 residents of New Kru Town, he says.