H. Richard Fallah
BUCHANAN: The political leader and standard bearer of the opposition Unity Party (UP), Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has held series of consultative meetings in Grand Bassa County, calling on citizens of the County to rally support to his presidential aspiration aimed at rescuing Liberia from a failed regime.
Ambassador Boakai who visited the County on Sunday, April 16, 2023, was welcomed by several traditional leaders including chiefs and elders, as well as youth, women, and other groups.
During the visit, the UP standard bearer visited several churches during their regular service-hours, and held some “strategic discussions” with prominent sons and daughters of Grand Bassa County.
Some of the talks were held behind closed door while others were conducted in public.
In two (2) instances, JNB met with Rev./ Dr. Abba G. Karnga, a respectable religious figure in Grand Bassa who is also the biological father of Grand Bassa County’s incumbent Senator, Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence.
Rev. Abba Karnga, an influential personality has, over the years, and even now been credited for the establishment, operations and expansion of the famous Worldwide Mission School in that part of the country.
For about thirty (30) minutes, former VP Baokai held a private meeting with him during his visit in the County.
The outcome of the meeting involving the two men were not made public but an unimpeachable source familiar with the content of the talks, described it as successful and fruitful.
Besides meeting exclusively with Dr. Abba G. Karnga, the former VP held another 20-minute closed-door private conversation with Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, who is also a two-term nine-year Senator of the County.
Senator Karnga-Lawrence is widely known as “Lioness” by her many supporters and admirers for her fearless advocacy on wide-range of cutting-edge ( frontline) socio-economic and political issues impacting the wellbeing of the people of Grand Bassa in particular and Liberia as a whole.
The UP political leader also met with other religious leaders, Chiefs and traditional leaders, the young people and the Unity Party Chapter of Grand Bassa County.
According to the Unity Party, Ambassador Boakai recent visit to Grand Bassa County over the weekend is in continuation of his (JNB) political consultations across the country, especially as he, JNB is poised to announce his running-mate for the crucial 2023 presidential and legislative elections shortly.
Ambassador Boakai encouraged the people of Grand Bassa to wake-up and join the UP Rescue Mission that, among others, highlights construction of roads, food production, and socio-economic growth and development across the country.
JNB noted that it is time that the religious leaders and other key and influential individuals in the county convince their congregations and those who believe in them to rise up and help safe Liberia from the current leadership of President Weah who he said has miserably failed the Nation.
Meanwhile, Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, on her official facebook page, thanked Ambassador Boakai for visiting the people of Grand Bassa County, especially at a very critical and crucial time of the Country.
Senator Lawrence: “We had a very busy and successful weekend in Bassa, in addition to our press conference; we welcomed the former Vice President, Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai, to Grand Bassa County, and Worshipped with several churches and had some very meaningful interactions.”
“Thanks to the People of Bassa always for the support and thanks to JNB for the visit,” Senator Lawrence wrote on her official facebook page.
On April 7, 2023, JNB was also seen having what some of his supporters called “strategic and private meetings” with influential and prominent Sons and Daughters including chiefs and traditional leaders of three (3) of Liberia`s votes-rich counties to include: Lofa, Nimba and Bong.
Though the former ruling Unity Party remains tightlipped on details of these consultations and strategic private conversations of its political leader (JNB), it is believed by some critical thinkers that the former VP consultations tour across these counties (Bong, Lofa, Nimba & Bassa), are in line with his soon-to-make decision relative to naming his running-mate as the October 10 polls fast approach.
The Unity Party through its secretary general Amos Tweh announced on a local radio (OKFM) that Ambassador Boakai will on April 25, 2023, name his vice standard bearer for the ensuing legislative and presidential elections which is just six(6) months away from now (October 10, 2023).
The UP SG, speaking recently, assured Liberians, particularly supporters of the opposition community and state officials who are eager to hear the name of JNB running-mate that April 2023 will not end without the former vice president announcing his running-mate for the pending elections.
Now with the current move of the former vice president, many are watching and waiting to see if he, (Boakai), will announce his running-mate on April 25, 2023, as confirmed by his party Secretary General, Amos Tweh.