Our esteemed Partisans and Members of the National Executive Committee of the Mighty Coalition for Democratic Change; our collaborating partners in the Coalition for Democratic Change, distinguished citizens, farmers, market women, yanna boys, pehnpen riders, keke riders, ladies and gentlemen.
We are assembled here today, in historic times on the occasion of the second time in nearly 80 years of Liberian history, when one government will be peacefully and democratically ceding power to another.
It has been a long, checkered and difficult journey, a journey of 18 years that began with the formation of the Congress for Democratic Change in 2005. This remarkable political sojourn, which incorporates twelve years in opposition, endeared the CDC to many as ‘Stalwart and Guardian’ of Liberian democracy while the party sought to peacefully coexist with a governing administration, the Unity Party of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Joe Boakai.
During those 12 years, we endured many indignities, cruelties and barbarities. We were flogged, jailed and some of our people even died to protect Liberia’s nascent democracy. Through it all, we survived and ascended to power in 2018.
Within the course of this progressive ascendancy to power, we governed responsibly, protected the human rights of Liberians and stabilized the socio-economic system of our beloved republic. We are not perfect, as we are humans, but throughout our six years of political governance, we ensured there were no political prisoners and all Liberians were free to go about their normal course of business.
Not only did the CDC protect fundamental rights, we also ensured freedom of the press, association, assembly, and in fact protected all demonstrators during opposition gatherings, including the opposition-led event of June 7, 2019.
Proudly, we were and continue to be the most ardent custodians of Liberia’s fledging democracy. It is within the broad parameters of our democratic credentials that we are assembled here today even after accepting a teeny-tiny result coming at the end of an election which outcome remains utterly confusing and unrealistic.
Nevertheless, in fulfilling our dutiful commitment to Liberia’s peace and democracy, we take upon ourselves the moral high-ground to move forward as part of the sacrifices patriots and nationalists must endure to keep our country safe, secured and democratically sustainable.
After 18 years of impressive custody of national stability, CDCeans are quite aware of the duty to sustaining peace, democratic governance and security. This obligation may not come easily since we have just unfairly lost an election under controversial circumstances, detrimental to national reconciliation and healing. Yet, as conscientious patriots of peace, our individual and collective anger must now be harnessed and redirected towards the future democratic redemption of our beloved republic from the greedy grips of the same evil that pillaged and plundered for 12 years before the ascendance of the CDC-led government.
Fellow partisans, our opponent’s unexampled razor-thin victory does not means that we have lost the right to govern Liberia forever. Even before their inauguration, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Liberian people have just being duped, deceived and misled into electing the most incapable elder, surrounded by the most corrupt group of people!
This historic travesty of democracy can be corrected when all of us rise above the fruitless distraction of blaming others for the loss, instead introspecting what is at stake, and quickly coming back together as one party, one family, and one gigantic political fortress of redemption, The Mighty Coalition for Democratic Change.
Brothers/sisters/comrades in arms, the need to regroup can not be overemphasized as we prepare to battle and defeat DEEP STATE conspiracy-administrators who took advantage of our reposed confidence at strategic state institutions to destroy our government from within. These anti-CDC disrupters are a den of thieves craving for more opportunities to hustle.
To stop them, we must rise above trivial differences and subordinate personal concerns to the superior interest of the common good.
My fellow CDCeans, again I say let’s come together quickly to confront the threats unfolding against us all, which is no longer implicit and hypothetical; this threat is very very explicit, clear and present.
You have heard how even state security institutions (eg. the Liberia National Police) are now being exploited, politicized and weaponized by some notorious supporters of Amb. Joseph Boakai to malign and falsely indict the CDC in a crash ‘Incidence’ that occurred at the hands of one of their own partisans. This is an example of the visible threats we must confront and defeat to save our democracy in the coming years.
As we reassemble to protect democratic governance, we cannot forget the support and sacrifices of our good friends, collaborating political institutions and individuals that stood with the CDC shoulder-to-shoulder. We may have been denied the privilege to a second term, but we remain committed to upholding our shared values and principles that attracted your support. We say THANK YOU as we seek your continuous support and commitment to advance our collective endeavor.
The CDC remains grateful to its partisans and supporters for the HARD-WORK, DISCIPLINE, COMMITMENT and PEACEFULNESS throughout the campaign. We give thanks and applaud the hard work of the campaign committee, our loyal and dedicated Militants, the party’s revolutionary Youth League, the esteemed Women League, robust County, District, Zonal and Auxiliary groupings; Diaspora Chapters, Musicians, First-time Voters, Petty Traders, Traditional Leaders, Market-women, Civil Servants, students, religious groups, Farmers, Pen-Pen Riders and Yanna Boys. We say thank you plenty, without you we wouldn’t come this far, and with your continuous support, we are certain CDC WILL RISE AGAIN, STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!
While we remain mobilized, let’s continue to draw strength from the fact that the Mighty Coalition for Democratic Change is ALIVE, ROBUST and RESILIENT. To those who take pride in our challenges, we are not a group to be pitied, but a fortress of fearless revolutionaries committed to the unstoppable rise of the people’s party, a CAUSE we are prepared to protect with our lives, sweat and blood.
As we learn vital lessons of the past, the CDC will keep STANDING UP for what is just & right in defense of the CAUSE OF THE PEOPLE, which does not end with one term, but continues even after we are dead and turned to dust.
The concession message of our leader and Standard-bearer, H.E. Dr. George M. Weah , brings 2023 election queries to a closure; however, we wish to send an important message to our opponents of the coming government that we will not concede a micro inch of liberia to MISRULE, WITCH-HUNT & BAD GOVERNANCE.
As Chairman of the mighty Coalition for Democratic Change, which continues to be the political guardrail of Liberia’s democracy, I admonish CDCeans and Liberians at large, Do Not be Frightened; do not yield to politics of intimidation and fear; I say to you in civil service, FEAR NOT! Under the leadership of this National Executive Committee of the CDC, which is led by undisputed, trustworthy and accomplished revolutionaries, we will reassert the mighty CDC’s national political dominance to protect and keep you safe from witch-hunt and tyranny.
Fear not, CDCeans, for we are with you through to the very end: whether down a valley or at the edge of a cliff; Eagles Don’t Fear Heights!
Our most distinguished partisans, let’s garner strength from the following realities; ‘They tried to bury us but didn’t know we were seeds’. The more their efforts to destroy the CDC, the more the mighty Coalition for Democratic Change rises in power, dominance and strength!
And those on the other side who fantasize the thought that we will crawl on our bellies, or fall to our knees to negotiate surrender, do not know us well; WE WILL NEVER BOW TO THE GOLDEN CALF OF APOSTASY!
When we choose to negotiate on any issue pertinent to the interests of our people, it will be from a position of strength. We will never stooge low to the arrogance of Unity Party’s 20,000 ‘Half-district’ election mandate.
Nevertheless, as pillars of Liberia’s peace and stability, we call on our people to move past this ugly democratic experience and support the peaceful transfer of power through our transition team.
Even so, it would be a serious dereliction of our sacred duty of upholding the public trust if we did not make certain matters clear and unambiguous. The UP’s presidential razor-thin victory margin of 50.64 compared to ours of 49.36 percent votes cast, in no way signals a large electoral mandate. Evidently, the country is evenly split, unlike 2018 when President Weah had a popular mandate; the Unity Party simply don’t have a clear governing mandate to continue its arrogant display of power.
It is glaring that Nearly 50 percent of Liberian voters in these muddled elections opted to vote for our brand of political and economic governance. Thus, we must emphatically caution the United Party’s incoming administration to consider the wishes and desires of nearly 50 percent of the citizens of Liberia who rejected them. As such they should govern and be mindful that nearly half of the country resisted their so called “Rescue efforts”. In fact, Liberia does not need to be rescued by political buccaneers who spent 12 years in power looting the coffers of the state.
Yes, we have accepted the outcome of the just ended controversial elections for peace, not because it was free and fair, but because it’s the only way we keep our beloved country peaceful and save our peace from the hands of a DEN OF VIOLENT USURPERS who are so desperate for power that they didn’t mind plunging the entire nation into chaos to achieve it.
Fellow partisans, we are not oblivious to the fact that by accepting to move past this mismanaged election result, we may in effect be throwing our institution into unchartered waters; be that as it may, we can collectively survive and in the not too distant future, ride the tides to victory as we STAND TOGETHER, beginning now.
Lest we forget my friends, the CDC is not only a GRASSROOTS-STRONG revolutionary idea, it is also an enduring concept of redemption that has successfully laid the foundation for real and lasting change.
Beloved partisans, take pride in in your six years of self-less service to our country. Walk with heads up high, regardless of the politics; it cannot be argued that the CDC-led government has set higher standards of governance and made huge development gains that can not be discarded by hate and lies.
Since government is continuity, it now falls on the shoulders of the incoming government to maintain our high standards and continue to build on the Weah-led government’s laudable gains;
We are building roads that should be continued; we are building hospitals that should be continued; we are giving free education that can only be sustained;
We have built unprecedented press Freedom, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech that can not be derailed;
As Liberia’s most peaceful democratic institution, the CDC in six years has built a peaceful and tolerant political and social environment for all. The preservation of that peace now rests on the shoulder of the Boakai-led regime.
Therefore, to consolidate the peace, we caution the incoming regime to reject ill-advised actions such as WITH-HUNT, ECONOMIC APARTHEID, POLICE BRUTALITY and all forms of prejudices detrimental to good governance and stability.
Fellow CDCeans, as we begin our party’s re-building process, we admonish our partisans to converge around the ideas that birthed the CDC into a mighty political fortress.
Let it not be forgotten that the mighty Coalition for Democratic Change has survived worse tragedies than what confronts us now, and CDCeans will not be mistaken to view this challenge as a springboard upon which, with fervent determination, we can rise to new levels of institutional greatness and democratic power.
Within this context, we cannot also forget our duty to the youth, students and committed militants who have never taken a break from hard-work and sacrifices in pursuit of the CDC struggle.
Pursuing a decentralized scholarship and youth empowerment plan for our people, as well as securing a balanced micro business program for our hardworking women, must be given priority considerations as important components of the rebuilding process.
My distinguished brothers/sisters/comrades in arms, these are the ideas around which the party must remain focused and engaged. No doubt, there are visible errors of the past, but the challenge is now ours to learn from the past, and take corrective measures designed to build and equip our people even as a respectable opposition political party.
HERE IS A FAIR WARNING TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE UNITY PARTY:
The reiteration of this message over and over (to ears that are willing to listen) is vital; we may have conceded these election results, but the CDC WILL NOT CONCEDE LIBERIA TO BAD GOVERNANCE, workplace prejudice, economic marginalization & witch-hunt.
Do not witch-hunt our people, for they too as qualified Liberians, deserve the right to work.
OUR BELOVED CDCEANS, SUPPORTERS AND SYMPATHIZERS, THE MORAL LEADERSHIP OF OUR COUNTRY CONTINUES TO BE OUR BURDEN TO BEAR. LET’S NOT BE CONSUMED BY MERE RAGE, BUT BY A RELENTLESS DETERMINATION TO HOLD THE COMING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE, ENSURING THAT;
-there’s sustained free press
-sustained food security for all
-no one goes to bed hungry
-our children keep going to public schools free
-government will create new jobs;
-WE COEXIST AS PEACEFUL CITIZENS IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY.
Lastly, fellow partisans, ladies and gentlemen of the press, after extensive internal consultations between the National Executive Committee and the CDC legislative caucus, the party has concluded that given the thin nature of the election returns, a balanced government regionally and politically, is in the best interest of the Liberian people. In this light, the party intends to support its caucus quest for the speaker position and have endorsed the candidacy of Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, a well balanced political and regional partisan, as its sole candidate for speaker. Therefore we are calling on all independents and like minded members of the incoming 55th legislature to support Cllr. koffa as the consensus candidate.
Thank you.
GOD BLESS LIBERIA