26/10/2023
Update !
Liberia National Union Standard Bearer Clarence Moniba writes...
My Fellow Liberians
Exactly 14 days ago, we all went to the polls to exercise our right to vote for the next President of our beloved country. On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced that the two parties with the highest vote totals, the governing Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC) and the former ruling Unity Party (UP) had advanced to the runoff. Since then, we have become aware of the fact that many of our supporters and other Liberians continue to ask us for our decision and direction for the 2nd round.
Despite serious questions and concerns about the vote tabulations reported, we remain committed to the results as announced by the NEC reflecting the majority will of the Liberian voters. With the results now announced, we have begun having discussions with both parties to determine our decision going forward.
Paramount among our many concerns is the youth-driven agenda for A New Liberia that we ran on and to which we remain uncompromisingly committed. Specifically, we have identified the following areas to focus on during these negotiations with the two 2nd round parties.
1. Roads: As we argued during the campaign, Infrastructural needs of the country were a very important centerpiece towards A New Liberia. Hence, we are determined that the side we eventually endorse will have to place a premium on securing the funding for, and construction of four (4) major roads:
a. The Sanniquellie to Zwedru Road in Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties.
b. The Robertsport Highway in Cape Mount County.
c. The Salayea to Foya Road in Lofa County, and
d. The Buchanan to Rivercess stretch of road in Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties.
2. Technical and Vocational Education: Technical and vocational training opportunities for young people in every county in this country is an overdue need. As our focus on opportunities for young people in this country during the campaign was on educational opportunities outside the traditional classroom, we must ensure that the party that we ultimately endorse prioritizes Technical and Vocational education. Specifically, we must work towards building modern Technical and Vocational colleges in every county in the Republic of Liberia. This is long overdue and must begin immediately.
3. Healthcare: the Party we ultimately endorse must clearly demonstrate to us a plan to renovate, properly equip and properly staff all Government hospitals in this country, led by the John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Jackson F. Doe (JFD) Medical Centers.
The above listed are by no means all of the issues being raised during our negotiations, as we continue to discuss an economic plan that addresses the high rate of unemployment in the country, the better implementation of law and order, the fight against corruption, our fight against drugs, and the need for more stable electricity throughout the country.
As elections for the 2nd round are three weeks away, we hope to announce our decision to you in the shortest possible time, without sacrificing a prudent, well thought out process for one driven by the need to rush and announce a decision that does not necessarily stand the test of time.
I could not be more honored to have participated in the process as a candidate for the Office of President of the Republic of Liberia, alongside my partner, Mdm. Grace T. Kpaan, and the thousands of supporters who sacrificed, supported, and stood with us. Although we may not have achieved our ultimate goal this time, rest assured that, indeed, we fell forward, and we will come back better prepared.
May God bless the works of our hands and save the state.