Political Heavyweights Gear-up For 2017 Election

In the wake of Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan’s resignation from President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s administration and the recent public declaration of Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai which comes in the upshot of the cunning-driven petitioning by his kinsmen, as well as the newest National Convention of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) in Nimba County during which Senator George Weah was petition for the forthcoming general elections, several political heavy and light-weights have mirrored the 2017 presidential race as their prime objective.

In the same vein, the Liberian populace especially the electorates are interested and wondered If the political landscape of 2017 were to sink in the way that the nation was left to choose between the tickets of Joseph Boakai-Prince Johnson against George Weah-Augustine Kpeh Ngafuan in 2017 presidential race, what unique political difference would be reflective on the policy-frontline?

More to that is another political chemistry speculatively parading the would-be Brumskine-Weah Ticket vs Boakai-Sloteh ticket-or Baokai–PYJ ticket vs Mills Jones-Jewel Howard taylor ticket; while an interesting ticket characterized by Weah-Ngafuan swaeting it out against Brumskine-PYJ ticket seemed to be cruising in the garden of myth.

There are reports that the Boakai’s camp is seriously anticipating selecting Senator Prince Y. Johnson (PYJ) as Veep Boakai running mate in the 2017 presidential election, while other credible reports revealed that Liberty Party’s Charles Brumskine is desperately negotiating beyond the scene with CDC’s George Weah for both political individuals to form a united force where he will goes as standard-Bearer and Weah goes as his running mate in the 2017 elections, but other reports indicate Weah-Ngafuan possible ticket for the 2017 presidential election.

However, considering the political roadmap which is based on credible information from sources close to the individuals eyeing and craving on bended knees to capture the 2017 race, and if this creation which politically is possible; which ticket will win? Will the presidential race this time break away from the past by ending in the first round or like history, be compelled to engage the traditional second round or what’s referred to as run-up?

Some political pundits argued that the electoral population is concentrated in Montserrado, Nimba, Bong, Lofa, Margibi and Grand Bassa; and if that should ring a tempting bell then another question that jumps on the stage is which of the ticket would stand a better chance in these populated areas? Will it be the Boakai-Brumskine or Weah-Ngafuan or the other way of Mills Jones-PYJ or or Brumskine-Weah.

Delving further down the thrilling list, there emerges more questions than immediate answers. At the top of the next generation is will it be one of the new comers on the political playing field- Central Bank Governor, Dr. Millis Jones whose presence continues on the stage indirectly is not just pulling crowd across the 15 counties and among some ordinary Liberians especially markets where his political ground breaking scheme keeps swelling with confronted suspicion of an unexplained motive; or will it be former Maritime Commissioner, Mr. Benoni Urey who is also reaching out to former president Charles Taylor’s diehard bases and others?

A businessman whose ventures if carefully scrutinized could signal the dawn of a fruitful management long yearned for by the nation and people?

But the presence of Ngafuam in the process is expected to introduce new dynamism in the race for the 2017 political process considering his experiences as director of budget, finance minister and foreign minister where in the positions he has interacted with global players.

Besides, his closed contact with the youthful population especially the universities students gives him the greater advantage; he has the commutation skills of creating words to reach the youthful population and win them over, as there is no other aspirant so far that can match Ngafuan spoken communication abilities to address and deal with issues o public stage.

However, can the two new comers-Jones and Urey pull the votes and viewing both to pride themselves to be first among equals who would create as serious upset cut down the old faces and emerge as winner or will it be Senator Prince Johnson? Spiraling, some predict the running mates of Boakai and Weah to be the king-maker in the process.

The likely voters expressed fears that if Ambassador Weah decides to go as a running mate to either Jones or Brumskine or Boakai, the poll will be decided in the first round; while other voters speak positive of incumbent vice President, Ambassador Boakai but overall, he’s being weak for the presidency, and lack the political will to decisively fight corruption, create jobs and bring to book and prosecute corrupt officials in the current regime.

They sounded that the Vice President Boakai politically, is not visible; it will be difficult to produce his own political juice knowing the rock from where he was hewn. They also registered that the ghost of protectionism will always nib him to be mindful not to ruffle some reserved characters of the past that must be shielded from prospective political trials and tribulations under the sunshade of accounting for previous actions and performances in public offices.

One strange set of potential voters remains too particular that the Unity Party second man at the helm of power currently will find it tricky and slippery to openly embrace the writing on the wall that things have changed; people have change and priorities have profoundly changed and that things will not always be the same; most developments for his status are headache-driven, and may not have room for old time sake.

Others insist without second thought that Ambassador Boakai and Weah are too soft to stand up to the plate being cognizant of the huge demands by the population while CDC's Weah according to the expected voters is the less prepared contender to lead the nation but stands the better chance of winning the 2017 presidential poll if he makes himself visible on major issues affecting the ordinary people by speaking out, appearing on the various radios talk shows, selling his political agenda and sending out an un-ended wave that he is indeed his own man. ?

Political observers predict the 2017 presidential election to stop in the first round if Weah and Ngafuan join forces on the same ticket; both are well known internationally, nationally and well respected among the youthful population.

Similarly, another brand of voters thinks that Senator Prince Johnson lacks the expertise to attract donors' support to move the country in the right direction. However, they that in the case where the country’s sovereignty is threatened; he is best suited as compare to rest, to stand the task and has the political will to fight corruption if he makes it a matter of enforced duty and not just mere policy.

Without missing their words, they expressed grave fears that if Senator Johnson is elected as president, he will take the law into his own hands, and perceive him as dictatorial and undiplomatic as well controversial when boxed to operate under pressure.

Several others said if elections were held this year they are not totally certain they would vote for any of the contenders but added that they could change their minds; this suggests that turnout of partisans could be particularly important in deciding the election result, with Weah poised to benefit slightly more if they do, as compared with the other contenders.

But if more independents or undecided voters are energized and show up en mass, there may appear a contender who could receive their votes and likely win in 2017. Liberia’s efforts to recover from a long civil war that ended in 2003 and reestablish democracy have been hampered this year by an Ebola epidemic that has killed more than 4,000 people in the country and more than 8,000 people in West Africa.

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