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Controversy looms over leadership of newly formed alliance in Liberia

Controversy looms over leadership of newly formed alliance in Liberia

Liberia

An alliance formed by three opposition parties in Liberia last Friday immediately landed in controversy over leadership ahead of the October 10 presidential election.

All Liberian Party (ALP) led by businessman Benoni Urey, the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) party led by Senator Prince Johnson and the Liberia National Union (LINU) led by Nathaniel Blama are yet to hold a national convention to nominate the presidential candidate and the vice.

A day after signing the merger, former presidential aspirant and Senator Prince Johnson told local media Front Page Africa that he has an advantage over the two other leaders and cannot be a vice presidential candidate.

“I must go first. Mr. Urey has no political experience, so I can’t go under him. I have contested elections. I contested the senatorial elections twice and won. I came third in the Presidential elections in 2011. I am a member of the ECOWAS Parliament. How can I go second to Urey?” Senator Johnson said referring to the businessman.

Benoni Urey has not yet commented but is touted by local media to be a possible leader due to his financial capabilities to sustain the coalition.

“I have the numbers. Mr. Urey may have money, but I have the numbers. If he means well for this country then he must act like Jewel Howard Taylor. She’s more educated than Weah, she’s more experienced than Weah, but she humbled herself to go under Weah. Mr. Weah and I are the two most popular people in this country so how do you expect me to go under somebody?” Senator Johnson added, making reference to football legend and Senator George Weah who is leading a coalition of three parties towards the October 10, 2017 election.

George Weah run for president in 2005 losing to Sirleaf in the second round of voting. In 2011 he run again as a vice-presidential candidate on the ticket of Winston Tubman but failed.

The three opposition parties will soon know who the leader will be after a Joint Technical Committee works out modalities to hold the expected national convention.

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