MONROVIA: President George Manneh Weah has concluded phase one of his 2023 political campaign, which targeted the 17 Electoral Districts of Montserrado County, leaving behind trails of celebrations, excitements, endorsements, and ground games.
During nearly two weeks of electrifying campaign, the President, by all accounts, proved to be the most popular Presidential contestant with hundreds of citizens following him from one community to another.
His “Citizens Engagement Activities”, as the ruling CDC 2023 campaign is dubbed, comes ahead of the October 10 polls in which he is seeking reelection to, in his words, “keep the country on the current progressive trajectory of peace and unprecedented development.”
The CDC Standard-bearer began the engagement activities in Districts 8 and 7, Montserrado County, before climaxing it on Saturday, 19, August, 2023, in Districts 13, 15 and 17 that showcased scenes of what one keen political observer calls “unprecedented turnouts.”
Another analyst calls Weah’s attraction of surging crowds of his supporters as a principal standout amongst other densely populated constituencies in Montserrado County that the incumbent President earlier visited.
In District 13 on Friday, “human tsunami” effectively overwhelmed incumbent President Weah’s convoy as it slowly moves into the densely populated community where he cautioned the citizens about the importance of keeping the country’s hard-won peace and the enormous development gains made by the country over the last six years under his Presidency.
At the rally, President Weah reassured his fellow citizens that he will not veer from fostering the advancements made economically and developmentally.
He reaffirmed his commitment to working assiduously in strengthening and consolidating the development gains made in the last six years.
He told the surging crowd of CDCians and other well-wishers that he has never faltered on his promise, even in his struggling days as a boy in yesteryears.
Similarly in District 15 where the Representative of first time voters in Amadou Jalloh enthralled President Weah with an electrifying speech of appreciation for his stewardship in Africa’s oldest independent republic, particularly the Free Tuition policy relative to all public colleges and universities as well as payment of WASSEC fees for 12th graders annually across the country.
President Weah informed the citizens of District 15 that they should continue to anchor their trust and belief in him as he takes the country towards a trajectory of national development and progress.
“Fellow Liberians, I want you to know that I am your lone development giant; you can count on me that I will never make you shame. I am doing everything to care for you because I was in the same position that you are in today, and I feel morally obliged to improve your standard of life,” declared Weah, a former global soccer legend, and United Nations (UN’s) former Goodwill Ambassador.
The CDC Standard-bearer, who is also Liberia’s former Peace Ambassador told the surging crowd that he is the only presidential candidate who has the undeniable and unbeatable record of standing with Liberians during and after the country’s brutal civil war, by sponsoring thousands of young Liberians in school in a bid to prepare them for national and societal leaderships.
The Liberian Leader wooed the citizens to keep believing in him as they have done six years ago.
“When you didn’t know me well, you entrusted the leadership of the country into my care; now that you know me, and I have been working for you successfully, you can trust me again for more developments and the maintenance of peace and stability in the country,” he emphasized.
In District 17 where he climaxed the two-week engagement activities with citizens in Montserrado County, President Weah first dedicated a newly constructed market in the Banjor Community with enthusiastic residents and marketers chanting campaign slogans such as “one-round victory, one-round victory!”
Addressing thousands of residents of the District at the famous Administrative Building Field, the President reiterated his message of hope, opportunities and more developments for the country and people.
According to the CDC Presidential candidate, it would be inexcusable and suicidal to return the Unity Party (UP) to state power after it “squandered every opportunity” to move the country forward.
He thanked Liberians for giving him the opportunity to serve as their President and to develop the country, as never before since its Independence in 1847.
The President informed citizens that his government has carried out more national developments.
He named construction of roads, schools and hospitals in his first six years of CDC leadership.
He pleaded with the citizens to give another six-year constitutional term to enable him (President Weah) to complete the national development projects being implemented.
“In 2017, we came to you to vote us in, and you didn’t make us shame; this is why I am doing everything in your community to make you happy. I want you to vote for me on October 10 so that I will continue to develop this country and your community,” the CDC Standard-bearer emphasized.
The President further asserted: “I have never made promise that I didn’t fulfill. I have never done it in my life, and I will never do this.”
The “Country Giant”, as he is famously known, has expressed frustration at the politics of personal attacks which he alleged former Vice President Joseph Boakai and his hordes of supporters have engaged into during this campaign period.
Weah described such situation as unfortunate and a testament that he (Boakai) does not have anything to say during this campaign period.
He described the former Vice President as a complete failure to the country, who is shamefully having nothing to show following several decades of working in government.
He called on the people of Liberia to reject former Vice President Boakai and his Unity Party for their underdevelopment during the 12 years that the UP governed the country.
“Don’t give credence to the falsehoods the Unity Party politicians are spreading about me and my government,” he said.
“With their campaign of deception, they are telling you they have no better campaign message and plan for the country,” the incumbent President emphasized.
The President said it is time for Liberians to remain loyally constant and to uphold the transformative legacy of development he has shown in his first six years constitutional term of office, promising further progressive development in the years ahead.
Weah is expected to continue his citizen engagement activities as he heads for leeward counties, beginning with the Southwest Counties of Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Grand Cape Mount.