MONROVIA – Ahead of the 2023 general and presidential elections in Liberia, former Bomi County Senator Sando Dazoe Johnson has called on Liberians, especially opposition politicians, to cement a united force and galvanize support to ensure the rejection of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) of President George Manneh Weah at the polls due to its “don’t care attitude” towards improving the living conditions of citizens and moving the country forward.
Mr. Johnson is the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Investment and Concessions, a founding member of the ex-ruling National Patriotic Party (NPP) and ex-Spokesperson of the family of former Liberian President Charles Ghankay Taylor.
He is currently a National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the opposition All Liberian Party (ALP) of the businessman turned politician Mr. Benoni Urey.
According to him, the growing wave of alleged rampant corruption, abuse, and misuse of powers among public officials continue to be the order of the day under the Weah led-administration.
He made these comments in an interview with FrontPage Africa via telephone on Monday, June 13.
Mr. Johnson observed that citizens are heavily divided, while witch-hunting and marginalization of qualified and competent Liberians due to their political affiliations.
He said rape, acts of lawlessness, and insecurity are presently on the increase in the post-conflict nation.
Mr. Johnson observed that most of those entrusted with public offices are only concerned about enriching themselves to the detriment of the suffering masses and the nation in general.
“We are hopeful that with the look of things now, we believe that the CDC led-government needs to be replaced democratically. Corruption is wearing a coat suit all over the place; there is no reconciliation-people are being ostracized, marginalized, and killed in cold blood and there is no justice for them. We need to put a new government in place that will be able to deliver and move our country forward. That’s the reason why we as Liberians must come together and remove these people and elect a responsible leadership”.
He said the lack of accountability and transparency in the management of the country’s resources and taxpayers’ monies remain a major reason for Liberians to reject a second term for Weah. He made a specific emphasis on the diversion of US$25M from the National Road Fund (NRF) account, which was intended for road rehabilitation, to the payment of salaries by the government, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
Mr. Johnson maintained that as a result of this, “the country is not moving forward” under President Weah.
He emphasized that the prices of basic commodities, including rice and gasoline, continue to skyrocket, thereby improving additional hardship on the ordinary citizens in the country.
He observed that despite these visible ills and happenings, the CDC led-government continues to exhibit what he called a ‘don’t care attitude’ towards addressing these ills and challenges.
In Liberia, ‘don’t care attitude’ signifies the showing of little or no interest or actions towards paramount or pertinent issues.
Opposition not weak
For months now, there has been internal fights and wrangling within major opposition political parties in the country ahead of the elections.
The once vibrant Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), which comprised of the All Liberian Party (ALP, Alternative National Congress (ANC), Liberty Party (LP), and the former ruling Unity Party (UP) has short-lived its usefulness.
Claims and counter-claims over the alleged alteration of the framework document which brought the parties together, the ambitious fight for the standard-bearer position, and the instigating of lawsuits against one another shattered the dream of the CPP.
Citizens, particularly less fortunate Liberians, were hoping that leaders of these political parties could hold together and amalgamate forces to defeat the ruling party in 2023.
But according to the former Bomi County Senator, the opposition community is not as “weak” as being perceived by some members of the public and the ruling party in general, but remains a force to reckon with in 2023.
Mr. Johnson noted that opposition leaders have diverse political backgrounds and as such, any collaboration or merger will not be free from disenchantments or internal wrangling.
He stated that the current happenings within the opposition do not in any way imply that opposition politicians or parties are not fully preparing to democratically capture state power.
He said the disarray and hullabaloo among opposition leaders will help strengthen and prepare them ahead of the elections.
“Every opposition political party has responsible leaders and individuals in those groupings. What is happening within the opposition is not unique to the oppositions alone”.
Will not be quiet
Mr. Johnson was one of those who canvassed vigorously to ensure the election of President Weah during the 2017 elections.
He blamed his support to the Liberian Chief Executive at the time to the decision taken by the NPP to form a merger and the high level of respect he has for Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor.
On numerous occasions, he has regretted his decision.
Mr. Johnson vowed to continue to rally citizens and embrace every constitutional means available to ensure the rejection of President Weah at the ballot box come 2023.
He said the manner and form in which the Liberian leader is governing the country is unacceptable.
