By: Frank P Martin
MONROVIA: The Liberia People Democratic Party (LPDP), a registered political party, since July 23, 2015, has released a statement breaking its silence on critical national issues.
Following its departure from the erstwhile ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), LPDP’s Acting Chairman, Wa Hne, Jr., told Journalists in a news conference on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, that the UP-led government has made some development gains.
He referenced the gains made by the UP led Government including instituting audits and creating the platform for public officials to account for their stewardships.
Da Wa Hne acknowledged the Unity Party’s campaign promises of reconciliation, unity, rule of law, integrity, accountability, transparency, and inclusiveness.
“Let it not be forgotten that the Unity Party Alliance in the 2023 Elections, campaigned on the mantra of Reconciliation, Unity, the Rule of Law, Integrity, Accountability, Transparency and Inclusiveness in the governance of the nation. It frowned on the erstwhile CDC Government for its failure to unite Liberians and ensure accountability, transparency, integrity in government and the rule of law amongst other vices. Even in his post victory statements and Inaugural Speech, President Joseph Boakai rekindled the hope of Liberians by emphasizing his commitment to reconciliation, unity, rule of law, transparency, integrity as well as structuring his government not on partisan lines, tribalism, or business as usual, but purely on the basis of merit and in the spirit of unity.”
Hne lauded the Boakai-Koung administration’s steps toward audits and accountability but urges a non-selective approach.
“The LPDP, as a former constituent member of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is pleased to encourage all of its members who were privileged to have served in government to be prepared to cooperate with the law when called upon to answer to allegations of corruption during their tenures in office. By this token, we also wish to implore those of other political institutions, including the CDC to follow suit,” he added.
Hne: “Former officials from the CDC and other political groups should cooperate with legal processes regarding corruption allegations. The nation remains politically divided. The LPDP calls for a national reconciliation conference to unify Liberians.”
The LPDP chairman, at the same time, cited instances wherein the current administration has not adhered to the rule of law, including the illegal removal of tenure officials, unprofessional police conducts, and breaches of procurement laws.
On the issue of reconciliation, he observed that the country is still under tension and widely divided on political lines, which makes reconciliation a national imperative.
“The LPDP is of the view that the absence of reconciliation is the beginning of a chaotic society which truncates development and human progress.
No nation can develop without reconciliation which promotes unity,” he added.
Da Wa Hne called on President Boakai to uphold peace and stability, respect the law, and foster national unity post-elections.
“Therefore, the President is encouraged to immediately organize a national reconciliation conference to include political parties, civil society organizations and other stakeholders so as to derive a means of unifying the nation and its people,” he noted.
