President George Weah’s official campaign launch has proved that he still remains the candidate to beat, as his return to a large-scale rally drew a massive crowd of diverse supporters.
The event, which was billed as the “One Million Citizen Campaign” launch, drew more than 13,000, enough to overflow the iconic Antoinette Tubman Stadium, which has a seating capacity of about 10,000. When the playing field is factored in, its capacity can stretch up to 15,000 people.
An exuberant Weah, who for the second time this year, had filed the Stadium beyond capacity, was quick to remind his political opponents — Joseph Boakai and Alexander Cummings — that he still has what it takes to win them at the October 10 polls, just as he did in 2017 elections, which he won in the runoff elections against Boakai.
“We did it before and we can do it again,” Weah said to loud cheers from a crowd heavy with voters of all ages. “We are here because of what we have achieved together and to also show the world how true democracy works.”
“On October 10, vote for George Weah for President, your leader, your father, your brother, and your friend. [And] vote for Jewel Howard Taylor for Vice President, your mother, your sister, and your friend.
“As we approach the upcoming race, my competitors boast of experience. Yet, I stand before you today as the most experienced candidate, having served as president for the past five years,” he added.
The President then continued his remarks, throwing jabs at Boakai and Cummings, whom he did not directly name but referenced by their campaign slogans. The former Vice President’s campaign is widely known by its “Rescue Mission” slogan while Cummings is referred to as the “Fixer.”
In his dig at Boakai, Weah claimed that the former Vice President cannot show what he is coming to rescue, as he is a ‘failed politician’. Similarly, he said the same things about Cummings who he says cannot fix anything.
“Hear me and hear me well; they are claiming to be rescuers and fixers [but] let them show you how and what they have ever rescued and fixed for the Liberian people,” Weah said while describing himself as the best-suited candidate among the many seeking the chance to lead their county.
“Did they rescue the educational system? No. Did they rescue the health sector? No. Did they rescue the agriculture sector or the economy? No. Those requesting to be given another chance to lead the country have already ‘squandered the opportunities’ to rescue the nation and its citizens.”
The President’s campaign launch, which is facing a formidable challenge to his reelection bid, however, fell short of their ambitious goal of attracting one million attendees even though his supporters made their presence felt in nearly every community within greater Monrovia.
The crowd at the iconic Antoinette Tubman Stadium extended beyond the stadium’s confines, with a substantial number of people gathering on the principal streets surrounding the venue.
No sitting Liberian president or politician in the history of the country has been able to pull one million people at a rally — a record that the Weah campaign team had envisioned breaking but failed yesterday.
The ruling party officials kicked off the campaign launch with a nearly one-hour parade from 9th Street, Sinkor to the stadium, located at the corner of UN Drive and Lynch Street, along with large crowds of people which included senior government officials and party executives.
Although the National Elections Commission declared campaign season opened in August, Weah began his reelection campaign in February, under the guise of a “Thank You rally” — making claims of record-breaking achievements at rallies in his pitch to voters.
Chief among said claims is that of being the most developmental president in the history of Liberia, even though the fact is that his predecessor, former President Sirleaf left office with about 800 kilometers of the country’s road paved. So far, Weah has only managed to achieve 530 kilometers in six years, according to data from the Ministry of Public Works.
The Weah administration has also not been able to release a full assessment s of its development plan — the pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), which aims to reduce poverty and improve the living standards of Liberians, and invest in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job opportunities — nearly six years into his administration.
“[I] have constructed more hospitals and roads as compared to past Liberian presidents,” Weah said. “[We have] come too far and the most plausible and sensible thing to do is to embrace political continuity.
“Today, it’s no surprise that education is free. Your children are attending public universities free of charge. Today, parents do not have to struggle to pay WASSCE fees. We’ve gathered here today to show to the world that we are the people’s party.
The President also noted that despite the progress of his administration, some remnants of the old guard have launched a campaign of “lies and vilification” — seeking to deceive the Liberian people, both at home and abroad.
The “Liberian people,” he said, are “wise, tired of the relics of the past, and tired of old parked cars.”
“We have freedom of the press; we have gender equality and women’s empowerment,” Weah said. “We have youth empowerment and participation in government. We are here because of what we have achieved together and to also show the world how true democracy works. We did it before; we can do it again.”
Meanwhile, the President declared to his enthusiastic supporters that he would revive and reinforce the National Cadet Program, offering young individuals the chance to gain work experience while still in school.
“I am grateful for your dedication, resilience, and love for our country and its leader. I will not let you down,” Weah assured. “We have utilized our time in office to work tirelessly for the Liberian people. We have not squandered the opportunities that were entrusted to us.”
The President’s supporters, dressed in their blue, white, and red berets and t-shirts, chanted slogans against the opposition like: “We Don’t Want Sleeper, We Want Bunga Dancer; Da 12 Years We Want; We Don’t Want Gay, We Want Weah; Yor Yor, Yor Da Weah We Want Yor,” among others.