Joseph Boakai’s 2017 Presidential Dilemma

It is often noted that if the task takes a long time, it pays to begin early. Obviously, most keen political pundits were not caught with their pants down; although some slow movers may claim not to expect the thunderous declaration of Vice President Joseph N. Boakai’s swift and tactical maneuver from joining his kinsmen to celebrate farewell to defeated Ebola that quickly, before the dust could settle, transformed into a political festival characterized by the presentation of petition to vie for the presidential seat come 2017; a request he whole heartedly accepted under the cover of “who am I to refuse the will of the people..” complete charade.

However, some political cynics digging deep into the political layers of the posture and functionality of a Liberian vice president in the arena of a sitting president solely determined to actively control and remain at the helm of supreme power, soon began to cultivate second thought regarding the silent sanctioned-driving force propping up Boakai’s presidential quest to commence navigating so early.

So true, it is becoming glaring that Boakai’s declaration which has not attracted the grave and suspicious attention of the National Elections Commission (NEC) through the “why and how”, has in a unique fashion set the stage for the political joggling to warm up be it in slow motion or at a snare-pace, at least for now.

Thereafter, some key questions cannot wait; they are simmering in so many directions, some with historical reminders; while others with straight face quiz. Will the Ellen’s factor help or harm Boakai’s 2017 dream? Is he his own man?

Is he prepared to cruise in the sunny achievements of the incumbent and fully set to share the condemnations, gruesomely perceived failure of governance, transparency, accountability and the political pitfalls that continue to hunt the comfort of the current administration of which he has served from its inception to present?

One thing is certain; to see a vice president of Liberia throwing his political hat in the race so early while the incumbent mutely looks on is an interesting game changer creeping on the political chapter of this glorious land of liberty.

Some observers narrate that although Vice President William Richard Tolbert did not strike pre-emptively his ambition to become president while serving President William V.S. Tubman as his vice president, yet when the fullness of his era mounted the stage of time, he reflected the image of being his own man as evident by the pros and cons of his performance enshrined in the country’s fragmented history.

His pronouncement is just the first step to a long, rocky and tempting journey where his own political definition will have to weather the unperturbed storm. Already, it is being said that the Lofa Petition is not an untouchable visa to the seat of the president. He will have to brace the party’s primary where other gurus are uncompromisingly determined to trek that juicy path; there and then, is it feasible that the Ellen’s factor will propel him and keep all the rough waters under the bridge for smooth sailing?

To begin with, Ellen’s administration close to 10 years of providing leadership for the country and people can cling onto some marvelous kudos to proudly fly around with, mainly as some detractors have openly conceded that on the international scene, she re-invested well her personal contacts and cleverly utilized her professional relationship with many global socio-politico-economic and humanitarian institutions to re-write and refurbish the damaged image and character of a nation once rated a failed state.

Also, her political strength to keep on keeping on amidst turbulence has won her the courage imbued in her from years of struggling in the opposition community to pilot her way around thereby landing where and how she envisions; and this has been a great plus in her political career.

To succeed in such an endeavor, one will have to develop thick skin and not easily sway and fumble in the face of shock, trials and tribulations badly tempered to mar credibility and bury motivation to excel.

These are some attributes Ellen holds close to her credit and is Joe properly redefined to take such virtue to another level in his presidential bid in times like these, when people have changed dramatically, priorities have changed immensely, and even time itself has changed.

The million dollars question is will President Ellen Johnson’s factor heal or hurt Veep Boakai? Veep Boakai serious predicament is whether to be himself or ran his campaign on the government’s achievement or disassociate himself with the government’s failures, which many political pundits described as unhealthy since he has served the regime since its inauguration in 2006. The issues of corruption, abject poverty and unemployment are going to play deeply against Boakia’s presidential campaign.

Some of the issues that are expected to play against Boakai interest will be youth empowerment, lack of jobs creation, reconciliation and corruption; these issues undermines the nation’s emerging democracy, and persist as menace to stability and peace.

Nowadays corruption is viewed as one of the major challenges to rebuilding Liberia's political, cultural, educational, economic, health and infrastructure networks and discourages taxing and stifles entrepreneurship, “lowering the quality of public infrastructure, decreasing tax revenues, diverting public talent into rent-seeking, and distorting the composition of public expenditure.

Furthermore, the consequences of corruption negatively affect democracy and rule of law as well as erode public trust in government and undermines institutions as well as processes at all levels of society. In Liberia, corruption is so institutionalised and accepted that government officials often do not view it as a criminal act as they rationalise their actions. A sense of entitlement is at the core of corruption and there are reports suggesting that some Liberian government officials regularly engage in corrupt practices which are sustained by low pay for the civil service, minimal job training, and few court convictions.

While rampant corruption is not a new phenomenon to Liberia, Veep Boakai need to work harder to present himself to the electorates that he is capable to fighting corruption, but will the public accept his words on corruption? Corruption has been eating up every sphere of our nation for 167 years now. This systemic pandemic continues to undermine genuine development and socio-economic growth even after 15 years of civil intolerance and instability.

The effect of corruption is more devastating than cancer, HIV/AID, and Ebola. This unethical practice has grown even larger to an extent it is not only hampering development but it is also hunting men and women of honesty and integrity who have made it their lifetime duty to blow loud whistles against it. Liberia has a longstanding legacy of public ill-transparency and dishonesty.

Another Boakai’s dilemma is the culture of impunity which has been a contributing factor to the sharp increment in the number of new corruption cases. When political vultures and economic vampires embezzle and misuse state resources, they are not made to account for these resources simply because of their high-ranking statuses in government.

Sometimes, cases of corruption with sufficient proofs are compromised as a result of political machination. The lack of political will has been a major challenge to our current warfare against corruption. If Boakai is truly intended to fight corruption, promote a society of integrity and honesty, he needs to step out of his stillness and start issuing strong statements on corruption and advocate the prosecution of corruption officials.

In its 2012 Human Rights Report on Liberia, the U.S. State Department reported that court officers, such as defense attorneys and prosecutors, have “suggested defendants pay bribes to secure favorable rulings from or to appease judges, prosecutors, jurors, and police officers. The corruption is widespread and extends even to judges, who, the report asserted “were inclined to bribes for awarding damages in civil cases. Judges sometimes requested bribes to try cases, released detainees from prison, or found defendants not guilty in criminal cases.”

However, the achievements of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa’s first woman to be democratically elected Head of State in a male dominated society is likely to play in Veep Boakai favor based on how the vice president will present his case to the Liberian people.

Sirleaf has worked to rebuild a country ravaged by 14 years of civil war and has helped secure peace in Liberia. She has helped to promote economic and social development and strengthening the role of women and increasing women's participation in democratic exercises in a male dominance society, shaping the public perception that the state is accessible to both men and women.

President Sirleaf’s commitment continues to play a major role in the focus of the nation’s foreign policy and international relations and the benefits which include massive debts waiver, international goodwill, developmental programs, construction of public facilities across the country and the presence of diplomatic missions in the country is a unique political attitude, essentially directed to a foreign policy affinity with Freedom of Fears’ torch-bearers.

Liberians travelling abroad can proudly present their Passports anywhere in the world and be given a positive reception without being discriminated against. While it remains a vivid reality that the current administration has had its full share and contributed to some of the odds that have placed the nation in a very precarious situations that have also weakened and brought into serious questions the governance system, Boakai will have to look deep into the political organization as the vehicle, if it the Unity Party he intends to ride on the 2017 road.

He should be mindful that the Unity Party with all due respect, despite appears to be in a micro-shamble, did not spare the loving son of the President, its former standard bearer in his quest to become senator; moreover, as reports had it, her presence in Buchanan during former Pro-Temp Findley campaign including unconfirmed report of her (Ellen’s) alleged support to Senator Nagbe for Pro Temp are still fresh writing on the wall; and if it is something to go for, even at that, it should reflect a signal for Boakai to begin to engage the drawing board and work out for himself: Will Ellen’s Factor Help or Harm His (Boakai’s) 2017 Dream?

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