Weah Poised for UP?

New Democrat (Monrovia)

Nd Staff Wednesday, 08 June 2011 10:45

8 June 2011

Loyalists Say Never!

There are increasing speculations from authoritative circles that retired football star and founder of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Mr. George Weah, is poised to follow one-time loyalists in crossing over to the ruling Unity Party.

Key Weah disciples and one-time CDC diehards have defected, aligning with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and becoming high-ranking officials of her campaign outfit.

But some remaining Weah loyalists have however described the speculations as “propaganda and street gossip.”

Mr. Acarious Gray, CDC Secretary General, said: “I can tell you that Mr. Weah will openly campaign for the CDC. The report that Mr. Weah will cross over to the ruling party is baseless. It has no truth in it. I consider this entire thing to be street gossip.

“Mr. Weah is going to campaign. Mr. Weah is the Vice Standard bearer of the Congress for Democratic Change under Ambassador Winston Tubman with whom he has a very cordial relationship.

“I am in his mind. Mr. Weah will never support (President) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf nor will he declare for President Sirleaf.

“It has always been reported by propagandists in the ruling establishment that Ambassador Weah and myself…we are supporting the ruling Unity Party,” Mr. Gray told this paper Tuesday.

Nevertheless, informed sources insist that a deal has been crossed and that Mr. Weah will follow his key loyalists in endorsing the president.

Mr. Weah has in the recent past made decisions that he soon reversed, such as his pledge never to be a #2 to anyone. But he later declared: “While I believe that a CDC government under my leadership is the best course to bring lasting and sustainable peace, security and prosperity to Liberia, I am not unmindful that even this great venture may be only achievable in small steps.

“I remain convinced that the unity of the entire opposition is the best course to reversing the slide into elitism that I believe is leading to the reversal of any gains that has been made in our country.

“We must defeat the current Unity Party government if we are to reverse the dangerous course upon which our country has been set; the course which leads to a mirror image of our ugly past and its domineering one-party political system. I believe that only a united opposition can achieve this national imperative.

“Therefore, in order to unite the opposition, I am prepared to work with Cllr. Charles Brumskine to achieve a single slate of candidates for the 2011 elections and may consider all options for a united opposition ticket. I have today, authorized a representative CDC exploratory committee led by our dynamic Chairman Geraldine Doe-Sheriff to begin immediate consultation with the Liberty Party as to how best we can bring the entire opposition parties together for victory in 2011. Nevertheless, whatever path we choose must meet the full and unconditional approval of the CDC executive committee and all of those who have believed and supported my effort in these many years…”

That marriage with Cllr. Brumskine was aborted, with Mr. Weah falling back on Cllr. Tubman, the man he had also previously dumped.

“I can tell you for sure. A deal has been worked out. This election will produce a lot of surprises as you are already witnessing. More will come,” the source, well placed, said.

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