By: Varney Dukuly
MONROVIA: Surging crowds of supporters of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), including youths, women and the elderly, among others from various communities began lining up along the streets and other public places across Montserrado County early Thursday for a launch of the party’s one million-man political rally.
George Weah, the incumbent President, who doubled as Political Leader of the CDC officially launched the party’s campaign rally.
It was Weah’s major campaign rally for a second six-year term since he announced his reelection bid for the coveted Liberian Presidency.
His recent campaign rally in votes-rich Grand Bassa and Margibi Counties, as well as in counties in the Western Region of the country attracted thousands of people.
CDC supporters from the various communities in Montserrado and its environs who began arriving yesterday for the rally were admitted at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium on UN Drive.
They wore their dominant blue and red party regalia, holding placards with various pro Weah’s inscriptions.
The jubilant CDCians who responded to President Weah and the Coalition’s political rally on Thursday, September 7, 20223, echoed what a keen observer characterized as “sharp contradiction” from the opposition community that Mr. Weah has become increasingly unpopular with the people.
“The rally here in Montserrado,” another commentator said, “made it clear that Weah, a charismatic leader, plans to use the people’s love for him as a rallying cry to win the October 10th Presidential and Legislative elections, as he seeks to conquer counties he recently visited.”
For instance, according to voters registration data from the National Elections Commission, Bomi County has a voting population of 63,112; Grand Bassa County, 158,463; Grand Cape Mount County, 86,529.
Others are Gbarpolu, with a voting population of 50,615 and Margibi County 185,301.
A die-hard CDCian, Christian Togba, 34, travelled from Montserrado District 17 to form part of the ‘Blue Rally’ at the ATS yesterday.
He told reporters: “I am supporting President Weah’s re-election because of his demonstrated love for the country.”
“Ayy fini oo, one round victory George Weah, George Weah,” shouted a lady only identified as Musu, as she walks through the crowd only with assistance by other ‘Weahcians.”
By 5 pm, the CDC political leader arrived. Weah, a former global soccer legend, and ex-United Nations (UN’s) Goodwill Ambassador, briefly spoke to ‘sea of partisans,’ renewing his call on the people for his re-election.
His remarks elicited loud cheering.
He later drove out of the jampacked stadium, waving to the cheering crowds of his supporters and well-wishers.